Barbara Joan Paul

On Monday, November 14, 2022 Barbara Joan Paul passed to meet Jesus and to reunite with her loving husband, Keith. Barb’s life on Earth began on September 15, 1937 in Plymouth, Michigan. She was born to Lulu and Clyde Lasslett, after her three older brothers, Clyde “Junior,” Howard and Richard. Her early childhood was spent in Hart, Michigan on a cherry farm, attending school in a one-room schoolhouse, and her teenage and adult years were spent in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She was a veracious reader and loved word games.

In 1955 Barbara married her lifelong love, Keith Paul, enjoying the next 58 years together. They raised six children in a home full of love, laughter, extended family and friends. Barbara ran a household of continuous activity. She volunteered with Kalamazoo Social Services, Loaves and Fishes and trained with Stephen Ministries. Church activities held the highest priority in her young family’s life, teaching Sunday school and youth groups for 37 years at the First Baptist Church of Kalamazoo.

Barb and Keith moved to Longmont Colorado from Kalamazoo in 2004 and became members of Calvary Church and dedicated volunteers for Longmont Meals on Wheels. They were blessed with a second wave of great friends in their new hometown.

Barbara shared her love of the outdoors with her family, hiking and cross-country skiing, and on any given evening after work, the young couple and their kids would pile in the station wagon and head to Lake Michigan for a sunset picnic. Her garden was the envy of the neighborhood, and her time caring for it was one of her greatest pleasures. Barb’s greatest passion was sharing love through her baked goods and jam. Each of her loved ones can name their favorite cookie, from her kids, grocery checker, plumber, neighbor, mechanic to her car wash attendant – she made treats for everyone. Barb made disciples of all with her yummy outreach ministry. Barb was a force of love, light and energy in the world. She was known as Mom and Nana to her kids and grandkids, Barbie to her daycare kids, Cookie to her church camp and Sunday school kids and Nana Barb to her neighbors.

Barb’s longest career was as a daycare provider, both in Michigan and then in Colorado. She left a lasting imprint on generations of children and young people that have kept in touch with her to this day. Barb was a talented seamstress, owning her own business, making wedding and bridesmaids’ dresses and had the ability to tailor any kind of clothing.

After raising their children, Barbara and Keith were elated with the arrival of grandchildren, eight in all, and were blessed with eight great grandchildren as well. As “Nana,” Barb loved her grandchildren without measure, inspired them and played a key role in shaping their lives.

Barb leaves a loving and grateful family. Loving her always will be her children: Deborah (William) Rineveld, Laurel (Timothy) Howard, Brenda (Randall) Motzell, David (Melissa) Paul, Timothy (Deborah) Paul and Anne (Kirk) Christoffersen. Barbara will be greatly missed by grandchildren: Emily (Jason) Lindgren, Madison (Michael) Elder, Kendall (Michael) Rogers, Kalee (John) Hirsch, Morgan Paul, Stephani Shephard, Connor (fiancé Nadia) Christoffersen and Bella (fiancé Apollo) Christoffersen. She will be remembered by her eight great grandchildren: Ella, Bryce, William, Cora, Hannah, Jenna, Adalynn and Chase.

Family and friends will gather at Calvary Church of Longmont on June 24, 2023 at 10am for a Celebration of Life. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Barb's memory are welcome to Longmont Meals on Wheels or Longmont Calvary Church.