Barbara Smith Jacob

Barbara Jacob A Love Story Stories from Friends and Family In 1930, during a winter of some discontent for many if not most in the world, God graced the family of Dorothy and Lewis Smith with a bundle of joy by the name of Barbara Ann. There is little doubt that this gift of a soul would come to touch many lives, regardless of the place, the time or those in whom she poured her love and attention. Indeed, from the disconsolate era of the Great Depression to her last days during the Great Recession, God leveraged her grace and poise to buoy many throughout her life. In the years following her birth, Barbie was, as her big brothers, Bill and Lewis Jr. called her, a cornerstone of the Smith family's hearth and home. In a day and age when the world around her was largely defined by a lack of jobs, endless breadlines and even worse, being homeless, Barbara and her family were fortunate to have the stability and continuity of a solid home life. Dorothy modeled the essence of homemaking for Barb, that, along with the ritual of daily family meals, set the benchmark for the type of mother and wife she would one day become. Her coming of age in those times ensured that she would grow into a young lady refined and defined by a solid upbringing. She is remembered by her brother, Bill, as having kept a lot of company with her Shirley Temple doll. Perhaps it was with Shirley that she first practiced the high art of manners and the inklings of homemaking. Too, she took a liking to school early on, embracing the three R's with a particular fondness for a certain nightly ritual with her spelling bees. Reading aloud from their 'Little Book House', she and her brothers enjoyed word games. Alas, in spite of all the schooling, she was not remiss in hiding the red marks on her report card indicating the need to 'apply herself' more. She loved playing outdoors and among other games, enjoyed tag, hide and seek, pick-up baseball and in the winter, skating and tobogganing. In the absence of what the 21st century now inundates children with along the lines of TV, social media and a constant barrage of distractions, Barbie was content to engage lots of friends and family with real 'face to face' interactions. After school, Barb was known to enjoy her playtime outside and dutifully did her schoolwork. In the afternoon, she and her brothers often ambled down to the Berwyn train station to meet their father returning from work. Together as a family they would enjoy a home cooked meal, rather than the fast food or carry -out food so many families are compelled to eat on the run today. She was quite social as a teenager at Morton High School, blending in well with the fashions of the time. Joined by her friends who were also dolled up in bobby sox, saddle shoes, short skirts and baggy pullover sweaters, they would 'Jitterbug' and dance to Glenn Miller and Harry James, among others. This was an early backdrop from which Lewis Jr. and Bill's little sister would emerge a bright, caring and thoughtful person, known for her genuine interest in the well being of others. With her trademark smile, and a penchant for always looking on the bright side, she was always upbeat with something good to say. This would come to inform the constructive and healthy lifestyle that she and her future husband Bill would provide for their boys, Bill and Thom. The early years of the 1950's found Barb in the company of good friends from school. Indeed, as her pal Mary Beach reminisced, in 1951, Barb joined Mary, Jane Thompson and Jo Ann as they went west for some 'fun in the sun'. Finding herself on a big bird for the first time en route to Southern California, the flight on United Airlines left an indelible impression on Barb. As Mary remembered, it did not take long for Barb to decide that foregoing school for a career in the skies was the ticket for her. From glass bottomed boats and the flying fish around Catalina Island to the sands of Sunset beach and the silly hats they donned throughout, Illinois was all but a distraction from the real fun at hand. Her friend Jane recalled that family became concerned after two weeks and wondered if she might be coming home at all! That wouldn't be the last time Barb would visit California, as there were many subsequent visits. In time, some of the Smith clan would root in Carmel, giving Barb more reasons to visit California and be with family and friends. For this Mary Beach has expressed much gratitude, especially for the way that her life was so enriched by those visits with the Smiths. There were also many shared memories around the 'DG' days in Boulder. One of the more memorable images shared of Barb was of her propped up high in the doorway of the DG Annex. True to her nature, she delighted everyone, being the people person that she was. On certain occasions, she was known to have 'wedged' herself high up in a doorway with her back braced on one side and bent knees and feet pushed up against the other. From her lofty greeter's position, she might alternately be absorbed in a book or greeting the date of one of her housemates. Upon arrival, these girls' dates didn't know whether to crawl under her or try to talk her down. Life at the Annex was never dull as she and a dozen others made life interesting for the family living in the basement who also happened to be charged with running the house. It was no secret that Barb loved to dance and sing. In a DG Skit on the stage of Macky Auditorium, she and Mary dressed as senators wearing shorts and tipping their top hats to the music of Glenn Miller. The two would repeat the skit as something of a greeting ritual and inside joke for years to come. With a giggle, they would hum a few bars from the skit and tip their invisible hats. Barb enjoyed friendships with several close friends over many decades. In Mary Beach's case, she reflected on great times had at places like Point Lobos State Park, Ventana, Vail and a perfect reunion at Whitecaps. What a grand friendship it was. In the course of these friendships, intimate camaraderie began in some unusual ways. Joan Rothrock remembers just such a springboard through lending a vacuum cleaner to the couple when Barb and Bill first moved to Denver. The year was 1954. Bill and Barbara had settled into their bungalow on Jasmine Street not but a few blocks from an old fraternity pal, Bob and his wife Joan. The connection began through their husbands, a history reaching back to high school in Winnetka, IL and then, a CU fraternity. Coincidentally, Joan and Barb had also both worked with United Airlines. With so much in common, the 'Jasmine Street years' were chalked full of great times playing games, having dinner parties and going to movies. Joan remembers that she and Barb would muse at all of the possibilities in life, if their 'guys' could only make 10, 000 a year! While Barb worked for United Airlines at the airport, Joan, a stay at home mom would lure her friend over at lunch hour. Barb would race over and they would enjoy elaborate lunches with china, crystal and linens. Such pomp and circumstance for what, at times, was all but a modest tuna sandwich. And, yet, a great ritual was born. The Rothrocks would eventually relocate to California, giving the Jacob clan all the more reason to visit California. Places like Carmel, Pasadena, Keystone and Sonoma hosted all manner of wonderful times. This woman of God, Joan remembers, secured so many happy memories for her by virtue of being such a lovely, warm, kind and giving woman. Indeed, a BFF. Among other stories and reflections, Barb's attention to and concern for others made her a wonderful neighbor as well. Neighbors like Bernice and Jim Gruber remember her well from Cottonwood Avenue in Littleton, CO. Living in the corner house on Cottonwood was the Jacob family and it was Barb that was instrumental in what we now call 'neighborhood organizing or activism' – the fun part of it, anyway. Besides being the driving force behind block parties, after work gatherings and organizing kids activities, she had a special way with people. She always introduced herself to new neighbors, often being the first one to do so along Cottonwood Avenue. Bernice recalled Barb coming to her home shortly after she and her husband had moved from Toronto, not knowing a soul. With Bernice's husband off at Martin Marietta all day, and her son Vincent still months away from being born, Barb made her feel most welcome, helping to chip away at the loneliness of moving to a new place. A lifelong friendship grew between Barb and Bernice as well as their families. Billy, Thom, Vincent, Jeffrey and Steven played on some of the same sports teams, went to the same schools, and, as Jim noted, got into a lot of trouble together! A lot of laughter and, sadly, tears were shared over the years on that block. The losses that both families endured with the passing of Barb and Bill's son Thom and the Gruber's son, Steven was a point of painful departure through which Barb and Bernice helped each other to grieve through and begin their own healing. Barb was key in assisting the Gruber family through that dark chapter. Bernice spoke of how Barb went to great efforts to coordinate transportation and lodging for their son's friends arriving for his funeral from Bolivia and Brazil. Too, her gentle force of presence and constancy was invaluable as she stuck by the Gruber family through their grief. Mourning the loss of their youngest sons was only part of their great bond as a friendship of over fifty years cemented as much. Bernice intimated that losing Barb was as though a bright light had gone out in the world and a door had been slammed shut in the universe. One fancies that Barb is waiting, perhaps, on the other side of that door at a kitchen table with a cup of tea, and her trademark smile. Many, like Bernice, feel very blessed to have had such a long-lasting friendship with Barb. The Cottonwood crowd was quite a bunch. As Carolyn Anderson remembered those days, Barb brought together all of the transplants in the neighborhood. Barb arrived at the Anderson home while Carolyn was in the midst of un-packing boxes; Mark, then six, would announce that all work should stop because company had arrived. Not surprisingly, it was Barb that was first on the scene, the outcome of which would be yet another life long friendship. A ""beautiful, gracious and caring friend"", Barb was the consummate host. Her lovely dinner parties engendered, ""guest of honor"" status to those celebrating birthdays. Friends found themselves at perfectly set tables where the food was outstanding as were the wines that blended with the overall occasion. Known for her love of parties and entertaining {Barb}, Carolyn mused that not one of the ""Bon Appetit"" magazines at Barb's home (stashed perhaps under a bed) went unread. When the boys graduated from 9th grade, Barb purportedly arranged a progressive dinner party for this rite of passage and the boys' dates. Little did the boys know that though different courses were held at different houses, the moms likely had more fun. In retrospect, given all of the fun on Cottonwood Avenue, between New Year's parties, Halloween, Miss America Parties and the ""for no reason parties"", the whole block was one big family. We often hear about it ""taking a village"" to raise our children. Barb seems to have been at the heart of such a village that ensured kids on Cottonwood were taken care of, regardless of who or where their parents were. While friends came and went from Cottonwood Avenue, old friendships seemed always easy to renew. The Anderson's saw Barb for the last time on August 16th and though coming short of recognizing and placing people, her smile belied this fact and she will always be remembered and missed. There were many facets to Barbara, not the least of which was her professional side. During her time at the Colorado Mortgage Bankers Association (CMBA), Pat and Dave Harder commented that Barb proved her savvy and style with a rare acumen for engaging different people, their ideas and blending them into the organization. As CMBA presidents left office, they did so with the sense that they had made a friend for life. Her caring personality engendered the sense that they really mattered and were valued even as they moved on. Similarly, as new board and committee members would come aboard, her sincerity ensured that all felt as though they had become part of the team. In many instances, though it was a trade association with professional leanings, many became lifelong friends of Barb's. As the organization's executive director, she seemed never to have a 'bad day'. Rather, her spirited enthusiasm and commitment to the CMBA were never in question. Her attention to detail, professionalism and remarkable integrity raised the bar for everyone around her. She will be missed, but more importantly, remembered for the wonderful woman and friend she was. Friends and family know that Barb remained a woman of grace and poise throughout. A gentleman named Emmanuel became acquainted with Barb and her loving and gentle nature over this last year at Holly Creek where she and Bill had moved. He had some stories to share about Barb and her kindness. Emmanuel worked at Holly Creek and saw Barb daily. He was around, particularly in the mornings, when Barb would enjoy her coffee and later, her hot chocolate. Too, when activities like cooking and reading were arranged, Emmanuel noted how composed and calm she remained, in spite of sometimes frustrating circumstances. He remembered Barb enjoying, too, the time she would get to sing, especially hymns, with others at Holly Creek. Her kind affect and generous smile was a constant, regardless of who you were and what the circumstances may have been. Barb remained to the last, a person who at her very core exuded goodness and love. She could not help but impact people with her 'way', her sincerity and concern for others. This is the common thread, that Barbara, regardless of the time, place or person in whose presence she was, that she would remain so present and ready to avail her loving spirit. Thank you to all the friends and family that made this 'amalgam' of stories about Barb's love possible. Additional stories and reflections are welcome in the guest book accompanying this entry. Wife of Bill. Mother of Bill, Jr. Preceded in death by son Thom. Grandmother of Garth, Veronika, Phillip, Reevie. Sister of Bill Smith. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, September 29th at 1:00pm, Horan & McConaty Family Chapel, 5303 East County Line Road (one block west of South Holly Street) in Centennial, Colorado 80122. Memorials may be made in Barbara's name to: *Cherry Hills Community Church c/o Memorial Gardens 3900 East Grace Boulevard Highlands Ranch, Colorado 80126 *The Littleton Rotary 17 Fairway Lane Littleton, Colorado 80123 *Project C.U.R.E. 10377 East Geddes Avenue, Suite 200 Centennial, Colorado 80112 Please share your memories of Barbara and condolences with her family by signing the guestbook.