Barbara Shafer Christine

Barbara Ann Shafer Christine’s soul left her body on the night of April 30th, 2023, in Aurora, Colorado. Born to Edith Grogan Shafer and Loren Shafer on November 14, 1942, in Huntington, West Virginia. Barbara’s radiance was short lived at 80 years old.

After finishing her junior year at Sherman High School in Seth, West Virginia, Barbara moved to Kentucky, graduating from Waggener High School in 1960. Barbara graduated from the University of Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky, in 1964, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Library Science. Immediately after graduation Barbara started working for the U.S. Army at Fort Knox, Kentucky, in Technical Services and as a Reference Librarian. The Army paid for Barbara’s education at The Graduate School of the University of Kentucky. She obtained her Master of Science degree in Library Science in 1972.

In 1975 Barbara married Steven “Chris” Christine, in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. In 1978 Barbara moved to Stuttgart, Germany to work as the Army Library Director at Robinson Barracks Community Library. She then became the Stuttgart Command Librarian. Following her Stuttgart post, Barbara moved to Warrington, Cheshire, England where her husband, a Major in the U.S. Army, was relocated, and there Barbara gave birth to her daughter in 1980. In 1981 Barbara and her family moved back to the States residing in Northern Virginia, where Barbara served as the Library Director at Fort Meyer Library, Fort Meyers, Virginia. Barbara quickly transitioned to Acquisitions Librarian at the Community and Family Support Center (CFSC) in Alexandria, VA. Due to Barbara’s passion, professionalism, knowledge, and endless dedication she became Director of the Army Library Program overseeing over 250 army libraries around the world. Due to Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Barbara moved to Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas, in 2011 while serving as Chief of the Library Program, G9 status, at the Installation Management Command. Barbara retired in 2012 after serving over 47 years in the Army Library Program. Upon retirement, Barbara was awarded The Order of The White Plume due to her selfless service to the Nation and the Army Family. Her colleagues describe her as a tenacious beast, endlessly and tirelessly advocating for the needs of soldiers and libraries. She was an exceptionally dedicated public servant, constantly working nights and weekends. She was known to be rational and calm in the crisis-du-jour.

In December 2012, Barbara moved with her daughter, Cara, to be closer to her sister, Susan. Retirement allowed Barbara the time and space to return to the things she loved most throughout her life. Obviously, she was an avid reader, often devouring an entire book in one day while staying in her pajamas. As a child, she would sneak a flashlight under her bed sheets to read books long after it was her bedtime. It is widely known that Barbara loved culinary arts. She relished trying new foods and new restaurants. Her house is a library of cookbooks and cooking magazines dating back at least 70 years Barbara was part of a book/cooking club in Colorado and cherished every moment spending time with her friends while cooking foods from around the world, sipping wine, and swapping stories with each other. Barbara would go to the grocery store with a mental list of 4 items. As soon as she walked through the doors her mental list went out the window because she was overcome with ideas and options. She would come home with 30 items, none of which were on her original mental list. If you were lucky enough to get to know Barbara over a long period of time, you knew she possessed an ardent enthusiasm for fashion and style. So much so that she recently admitted to subconsciously giving her daughter the middle name of Elizabeth, after Elizabeth Taylor. Barbara won awards in high school and college for her sewing skills and the clothes she made. Like cookbooks, Barbara hoarded fabric with the intent of always making something with it. Barbara had impeccable style and taste. If you were Barbara's friend, you had her loyalty till the end of time. If you were in need, her generosity was at your door. If you needed an ear to listen or a comforting hug, Barbara knew it before you did, and she'd be waiting with open arms. If you wanted to see a poised career woman shed her professional skin, Barbara would have a beer with you and become giddy at the prospect of going to the movies while sharing popcorn and candy with friends.

Barbara didn't always show it openly, but she loved her family and friends dearly. She was elated to receive invitations to see her niece and nephews and their children. Barbara and her sister, Susan, grew closer after closing the gap of states separating them, forming an undeniable bond.

Barbara had a tough outer shell. She didn't wear her heart on her sleeve, and she didn't make it easy to get to know her. Very few people were able to crack that shell. But inside that shell was a vibrant, curious, empathetic, loving, outgoing, and very silly (in the best way) Barbara. She was the all-time greatest belly laugher. Her body would shake so hard while laughing that no sound came out of her mouth while tears of hilarity rolled down her face. As Barbara got older in age her heart grew younger. A couple weeks before Barbara's life was cut short, she was planning a trip to Colorado's Great Sand Dunes and a trip to Yellowstone National Park. Probably to the surprise of many, Barbara was an adventuress in her travels. She has been to at least 37 countries throughout her life, and that number came from just her listing the countries off the top of her head.

Barbara's one true love and passion in life was her daughter, Cara. Everything she did in life was for her daughter, even before Cara was born. Yes, they shared the mother-daughter bond, but their relationship was so much more. They will forever be best friends and soulmates. The night Barbara's mind and soul left her body Cara was with her in their house. The last thing Barbara ever heard was Cara saying, "I love you." The last thing Barbara saw was Cara's face one foot away from her own. Their souls will forever be linked, and Barbara lives on through her daughter and through everyone Barbara loved.

Most people knew Barbara during one pocket of her life. But truth be told, to really know who Barbara was, you had to know her throughout her life or be lucky enough to break that outer shell and see the strong, complicated, intelligent, radiant Barbara whose spirit and sparkle will never dwindle.

Barbara left to the care of this world her daughter, Cara Elizabeth Christine; her sister, Susan Virginia Fiscus; nephews, Jon Fiscus, Jeff Fiscus; niece, Jenn (Fiscus) Maness; as well as her lifelong best friends, Mary Kay (Beard) Atkins, and Patricia “Patsy” Lewis. It would be remiss not to mention Barbara’s cherished cat, Macavity “Maci” Marshmallow Christine.

Services will be held in the fall of 2023 at a place and time TBD, because fall was Barbara’s favorite season. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to one of the three following charities that Barbara supported.

Lung Cancer Research Foundation

http://participate.lcrf.org/goto/Barbara_S_Christine

The Humane Society of the United States

https://tiltify.com/@maci/barbara-shafer-christine

Anxiety & Depression Association of America

https://donate.adaa.org/give/322300#!/donation/checkout

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.AdvantageAurora.com for the Christine family.