Barbara (Bobby) Helen Stewart Van De Vanter passed away peacefully on May 19, 2021.

Bobby was born on June 15, 1932, in Yakima, Washington to Benjamin Miller Stewart and Helen Croft Ashbaugh Stewart. She joined her sister, Marlys Gaye, who was 13 months old at the time of Bobby's birth.

Bobby was raised in the Meadowbrook area of Snoqualmie. When she was young, her mother wrote that Bobby was curious, intelligent and had a fun sense of humor. Bobby was an accomplished pianist and learned to sew and crochet - hobbies that she continued throughout her lifetime. She attended Mt. Si High School and was part of the very first graduating class in 1950.

It is in Snoqualmie that Bobby met her love, Jimmie (Jim) Van De Vanter. They met in middle school, and Jim knew early on that she was the one. However, Bobby needed a little more time to realize their connection, and they didn't start dating until high school. After high school graduation, Bobby attended Washington State University and was a member of the sorority Chi Omega, along with her sister Marlys.

On June 14, 1952, at the age of 19, Bobby married Jim in Snoqualmie while Jim was serving in the Air Force. The very next day, Bobby turned 20, and the newlyweds started their first adventure as a married couple by moving to Fort Worth, Texas. One of Bobby's favorite memories of living in Texas was adjusting to the southern farewell of "Y'all come back!" When Bobby first heard this saying, she turned around and headed back to her friends, before realizing they were just saying, "See you later!"

Jim left the Air Force in 1954, and the couple moved to Ellensburg, Washington, where Jim was going to school to earn his degree in education from Central Washington College of Education, now known as Central Washington University. After Jim earned his teaching degree the couple lived in various places throughout the state before settling in Woodinville, WA where they remained for the rest of their lives raising their five children.

The Van brood lived happily at the Avondale Road property, growing up playing in the woods behind the house, fishing in the pond, steps from the front door, and living the "country" life while the kids attended nearby Redmond schools. Once the youngest went off to grade school Bobby started working outside of the home. She eventually landing a job at Sundstrand, a company that made black box recording devices for airplanes. She worked at Sundstrand for 18 years, retiring from the company at the age of 62. Throughout her career, Bobby loved the challenge of working as a team and enjoyed making friends with her coworkers.

After retirement, Jim and Bobby traveled. Bobby loved to fish, and they went fishing often! Their favorite fishing spots were Twin Lakes on the Colville Indian Reservation and Sheridan Lake in Canada. They bought an RV and traveled in winter months to Wickenburg, Arizona for many years, where they met up with friends and enjoyed the warm weather. They also visited Montana, Yellowstone National Park, and even drove to Alaska - one of Bobby's favorite trips.

Throughout her life and her travels, she was never far from her craft supplies - yarn, crochet hooks, sewing needles and thread. She crocheted blankets and hand towels, sewed baby blankets and table runners, and even branched out to other types of craft projects, including quilting and Swedish weaving. In addition to crafting, Bobby loved to read.

Bobby was kind, generous, tenacious and loyal. But more than anything, Bobby loved her large family and was constantly showing her love through serving others. When she had visitors to her home, she was a wonderful hostess, never sitting down as she ensured everyone had what they needed. In those moments, she reminded her family of a productive hummingbird.

Bobby is missed so very much by her family and friends, sons Jamie (Andrea) Van De Vanter and Scott Van De Vanter, daughters Heidi (Rom) Castilleja, Jill (Ryan) Stoffel and Jenny (Chris) Wash, and brother-in-law, Craig (Marsha) Holstine - as well as thirteen grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren.