The Superior Express -

Within six months, two aunts have left the Heskett family. Both will always be cherished but the one who recently died was for many of us nieces and nephews, like a mother we didn’t have with us anymore and someone we knew we could turn to. For me, she was all that but mostly she was like the big sister I never had. For many of us, she was the one who we knew we could turn to that would listen to what we had to say. We could tell her anything and trust that in her reply, she would remain calm and understand. She was our encourager, in supporting us all in whatever we chose to have an interest in. This carried over to our children too. We all knew we were loved by our Aunt Barbara.

My mother was the eldest sibling of the Heskett family of seven sisters and two brothers. My mother loved her youngest sister and lovingly called her Barbie. I never knew if mom’s Barbie liked that name but, of course, she would never openly object to my mother calling her that. When my parents and we girls lived in Stockton, Kansas, for a time, Barbara would stay some of her summer time with us. I’m sure she helped out as a babysitter for my sisters and me from time to time.

Barbara was someone others, including myself, looked up to and could count on being there for us. Of course, as a teenager I idealized all my aunts as the Heskett girls were all pretty and gifted. Aunt Barbara inherited the love for horses from her father and enjoyed riding her horses. She married the love of her life and became a true farmwife. She worked on the farm as needed and prepared meals for her family and for all visitors who arrived at their farm home. She was a great cook! Neighbors, friends and relatives were drawn to their welcoming home. Neighbors came to put up corn there together, do butchering together, and just to have a fun time together. Many family get togethers were held in their home. Sometimes in the middle of the afternoon, one niece would stop in for a visit and soon two more would show up, just knowing Barb’s kitchen was the place to hang out. Her homemade cookies were always served.

My most precious memories in my earlier years, was going to stay the night with Barbara and her husband. There was a large closet in the spare bedroom that was filled with some of the clothes she had worn in her high school years and she let me dress up in them. I’d proudly swirl around in front of the mirror wearing those dresses. In later years, my husband and I were invited to tag along on camping trips and attend dances and parties with them. Barb and her husband were the best dancers on the dance floor. Oh how she loved her favorite singing star, Elvis, and his music!

Barb and I would go on shopping trips together which included visiting antique stores. We’d plan short trips together to visit her sister, or to visit friends in another town. In more recent years, we would meet Barb and her husband for meals in local cafes. Then there were the trips my husband and I would take to visit them driving to their Texas and Arizona winter stays. We enjoyed those times together so much. Back at home, we’d take spur of the moment Sunday afternoon cruises to visit lakes or historical places together, or we’d just drive up to their home during the warmer weather and sit out on their welcoming deck, drinking tea and visiting.

Barb loved her three daughters and their families. She would share the latest grandchildren and great-grandchildren news and photos. She dearly loved her Lord and her husband, Garold. Her big smile, laughter and graciousness will never be forgotten. She was one of a kind and so important and loved by many people. I’ll miss the phone calls, her encouraging words, all our visits, sharing family history, but most of all, I’ll miss her big hugs.