Ingram, Barbara Jean (Austin)

Barbara Jean (Austin) Ingram - age: 81
(September 29, 1928 to October 30, 2009 )
Resident of Boonville, California

Obituary:
Barbara Jean (Austin) Ingram, daughter of the late Anthony Warren and Mary Edith (Riggins) Austin, passed away in her sleep on Friday, October 30, 2009 in Scottsdale, Arizona. Her husband, Rea Daniel Ingram, and her great-grandson Benjamin Kraemer preceded her in death. Barbara was born September 29, 1928 and was 81 years old when she passed away after a lengthy illness.

She is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Alfred Warren and Ann Austin of Cave Creek, AZ. and her children, Mary Crawford and husband Terrance Bernardo of North Highlands, CA. Robert and Becky Ingram of Scottsdale, AZ. Ellen and Arthur Mark Fontaine of Philo, CA. and Donna and Eric Testorff of Crossville, TN. She is also survived by 16 grandchildren (11 with Spouses) and 19 great-grandchildren.

Barbara was born and grew up in Scottsdale, Arizona. She graduated from Scottsdale High School and attended the University of Arizona for a time, where she played the flute in the U of A band. She then attended and graduated from Arizona State University.

Barbara met her husband, Rea, in Scottsdale, and they were married September 2, 1948. They made their home in the Anderson Valley after their marriage. They traveled extensively with family and friends, often in homemade VW-based brush buggies, pulling matching trailers.

Barbara was a teacher and school librarian for the Anderson Valley Unified School District and taught for many years in the “Little Red Schoolhouse,” now a museum. Many people remember her as their teacher and knew she expected them to give their best effort, no matter what challenges they may have had.

With Rea, she was a member of the Anderson Valley Grange, in the original Grange Hall. While Rea was a member of the American Legion, she was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary for over 44 years.

Barbara, who became an EMT and volunteer ambulance driver with the Anderson Valley Ambulance Service, was also a member, and the first Female Captain of, the Anderson Valley Volunteer Fire Department. Often, she said, she did not know which “hat” she would be wearing, EMT or fire, when she was called out on an emergency.

One of her joys was teaching Red Cross swimming to the “tadpoles” (pre-swimmers) in the Cummings/Leggett area. Those lessons were taught in the Eel River. That teaching time was combined with a family “Swim Camp” for 2-3 weeks in the summer, where she was renowned for her black-eyed peas, hot cocoa in a vat and “no, thank you bites” of food. Also, holidays weren’t complete without Grammy’s Lemon and Apples pies.

With Rea, she enjoyed Square Dancing and Round Dancing. With his encouragement and help, she became a Round Dance Teacher and Cuer, making many new friends in the Northern California round-dancing community.

Barbara and Rea were voracious readers and passed that love of reading on to their children and grandchildren. Among her other hobbies were sewing (she often made matching outfits for herself and Rea for dancing), gardening, mushrooming and hummingbirds. She very much enjoyed singing with the Anderson Valley Chorus and the group called “The Golden Girls.”

Barbara thoroughly enjoyed her life, with a ready chuckle and a twinkle in her eye. On her 76th birthday, her grandson says she woke up smiling, said, “I’m 76!” and then started singing “76 Trombones.”

We know you are dancing in Heaven with Dad, Mom. We love you, and we will miss you.

Memorial donations may be made to Anderson Valley Ambulance, Fire Dept., or Historical Museum.

Graveside services will be held at 2pm on Saturday, November 14, 2009, at Evergreen Cemetery in Boonville, Ca, Pastor Eric Peterman presiding.

A reception to follow at the Apple Hall in Boonville.