Barbara Rae (Baalman) Jones (77) died at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle on January 30, 2016.  She was born in Denver, Colorado, to Ray and Rose Baalman on August 2, 1938, the second of their six children.  In June 1944, Barbara’s family moved to Richland, where she lived the rest of her life.  She graduated from Columbia (Richland) High School in 1956 and married her childhood sweetheart, Charles (Kip) Jones on June 14, 1958.   She worked for GE at Hanford until her children were born (Lisa  in 1961 and Michael in 1965) after which she became a homemaker until the late 1970s when she returned to work, first for Azurdata and then for several contractors at Hanford.  She and Kip both retired in December 1994.

Barbara was a family-oriented person.  A wonderful wife, mother, daughter, sister, and aunt, she was, without question, the central, focal person for all generations of her extended family.  Barbara and Kip enjoyed boating, golf, traveling, and watching and cheering on the Mariners and Seahawks.  They and their children spent many years vacationing at Lake Chelan with family and friends.  Long-time members of the West Richland Golf Course, they golfed there as often as they could.  Over the years, their travels took them to Europe, Hawaii, and various places in the continental U.S., often with family and friends.

Those who attended the annual Christmas party at Barbara and Kip’s home always enjoyed a festive gathering, which they will surely miss.

Barbara was a member of Christ the King Parish in Richland for more than 70 years.  After retirement, she volunteered at the Food Bank in Richland.  For many years, she and Kip were also loving care-givers to Kip’s parents and to Barbara’s mother.

Barbara was preceded in death by her daughter Lisa Wood (2000), her father (2001), her brother Jim (2010), her brother-in-law Del Brown (2015), and her mother (2015).  She is survived by her husband of 57 years Kip; son Michael (and Julie), West Richland; grandson Joshua Wood, Bellingham; granddaughter Abigail Wood, Cheney; son-in-law Leon Wood, Richland; step-grandsons Robbie (and Brianna) Silvernail and Justin Rowe, Las Vegas; sister Darleene Brown, Kirkland; brother Ray (and Betsy) Baalman, Pasco; brother John (and Deanna) Baalman, West Richland; brother Richard (and Debbi) Baalman, Kennewick; sister-in-law Patti Baalman, Deer Lodge, Mt; and numerous nieces and nephews.  Barbara will be greatly missed by her family and many friends.

Barbara’s family wishes to extend thanks to the staff at Kadlec Regional Medical Center and  heartfelt gratitude to the personnel at Harborview for their extraordinary, compassionate care for Barbara during her stay there.

Mass of Christian burial will be held at Christ the King Church in Richland on Saturday, February 6 at 1:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Barbara’s memory to Tri-Cities Prep High School in Pasco, or to the charity of your choice.