Barbara June (Wales) McDonough
Marriages
Robert McDonough
Burial Details
Obituaries
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 3D Obituary - April 16, 2017
My sweet mother was born
in Brooklyn, New York on
June 4, 1934. On April 4,
2017, in Cedaredge, CO at
home, tucked in her bed and
listening to all the sounds of
nature just a few feet from her
bed, the call came in from
above. It was time to go to
heaven.
Barbara adored her father,
Edward R. Wales, born in Delta,
CO, December 13, 1910 -
July 20 1987, who passed in
Glendale, CA and Helen
Podwolski, born in New York
on November 13, 1915,
passed in Pasadena, CA on
September 27, 1986. Barbara
was the first child of six; Rodney,
Camille (passed at birth),
Sandra, Dawn and Forrest.
Barbara has two daughters, Michele Solem living in California
and Cherie Willis living in Cedaredge, CO; five grandchildren
and many great-grandchildren.
For several days before her passing I opened the arcadia doors
about 4 a.m., bundled her up in her bed and we watched and listened
very closely. It was an unforgettable experience. We
watched the sun come up and the day begin, listening to all the
sounds and beauty nature had to offer. The beautiful sounds of
Surface Creek held many special meanings and memories for
my mother.
We listened to the birds sing their songs, we discussed the
sounds her favorite wind chime made blowing in the April
breeze. We watched the deer feed on the corn we offered daily;
watching the deer feed just a few feet from the house was always
a highlight of our days in the past. We felt the cool morning
breeze and noticed the green leaves beginning to bud on the
trees. In the past we had enjoyed all of these same things each
day but at this time it all was more vivid and magical than before.
Barbara also had the gift in the days before her passing of several
family members by her side holding her hand and expressing
their feelings.
Just as many other families here in Colorado have contributed
to the Grand Junction area, these are some of the things our family
takes pride in and some of the things my mother, Barbara, enjoyed;
The Grand Mesa was the favorite stomping grounds for
my mother and her husband, with Water Dog being the preferred
fishing spot. The Gilded Cage second hand and furniture
store located on the top of Fifth Street above the bridge, Barbara
and her husband operated from that location for years. Barbara’s
passion and profession was antiques. She was an exceptional artist.
She belonged to the California Button Society for many
years, collecting and studying the history of buttons.
While operating the Gilded Cage and living on Orchard Mesa
there were lots of family close by. Just below the hill on Fifth
Street was one of the first and very well known scrap yards in
Grand Junction. It was originally operated by my mother’s father’s
sister and her husband then passed down through generations.
Entrepreneurship was and still is a big part of our entire
family.
When the family lived in California, each summer we
vacationed in Colorado. Visiting relatives held many special
memories. The favorite fishing spot at that time was The Fall
Creek camp ground in the Telluride area. Barbara’s Grandpa
George Wales lived in the cabin next to the old post office in
Placerville. In earlier years George Wales had a homestead on
the Lone Cone and took part in the construction on the Million
Dollar Highway. Edward and Bert Wales (mom’s dad and uncle)
helped put in the first set of windows on the VA Hospital in
Grand Junction. These are just a few family memories our family
takes pride in.
With honor it was her time to go to heaven. She had survived
major brain surgery in 2002 and cancer for the last several years
of her life, with never a complaint and always the strong desire
to keep going.
Many people in our family say she took after her father, Edward
Wales. She had his strength and wisdom.
Thank you to everyone that never stopped sending my dear
mother greeting cards, gifts and letters in the mail. Every single
one was important. They brightened her day over and over. We
kept the cards close by in a box and she constantly pulled them
out and spent hours looking at them.
We would like to say thank you and are very grateful for her
primary doctors that helped us navigate through this journey. Dr.
Bryce Lokey, Internal Medicine Montrose, CO, you were
thought so highly of by both my mother and her husband, they
were fond of you and when it was time to go see the doctor it
was a bright spot in their day! Thank you for that Dr. Lokey. Dr.
Chun Lee, San Juan Cancer Center and the staff in Montrose,
CO, at the first diagnosis of cancer it was somewhat rough understanding
everything, but very soon into the treatment plan
you were our hope and strength. I feel your care and treatment
plan gave her a significant amount of additional quality time.
Thank you so much Dr. Lee. HopeWest Hospice, Delta, CO,
you guys are top notch! Your compassion combined with your
expertise were god sent. Crippin Funeral Home, Montrose CO,
thank you for allowing me to keep my promise to my mom that
I would oversee her care until the very last second of the very
last day. Her cremation was beautiful and unforgettable.
Though it is sad to lose someone you loved so much, I think of
the beautiful gifts I have received in my life and am grateful to
have had such an incredible and amazing mother that was so
graceful and beautiful. To experience and witness the peaceful
smile on her face until the very end will warm my heart for a
lifetime. Never in my life have I ever met a woman so graceful
and beautiful. She was my mom and my angel. We love you Barbara
McDonough. Our hearts are filled with love and your grace
will helps us keep our heads high in your honor.
Aunt Mary Wales, living in Grand Junction, CO, you were
very special to my mother. She spoke of you often, she loved
you very much!
Mom, the way you touched us all with your special qualities
will never be forgotten.
Love you Mom forever......xoxo
The second picture is Robert McDonough, moms husband. Professor
of electronics at Cal State University, master gardener,
piolot, master of many trades, August 4, 1919 - December 9,
2009. Many years ago she mentioned that she wanted his picture
included in her obituary.
Love you Mom!
