Barbara White Navarra

Beloved Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother, Barbara White Navarra passed away February 14, 2024. She was surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and brother. She was born in Portland, Oregon July 15th, 1942. She was the first of three children born to Robert Lazrine and Margaret Ryan. Barbara grew up in NE Portland in a house where she spent 77 of her 81 years. It was the same house her mother grew up in, a multigenerational home with lots of love, support, and a doting grandfather. Barbara attended Holy Child Academy grades 1 thru 12 and graduated with honors. In 1961 she married her high school sweetheart Jack White. They were married for 25 years and had three children, Suzanne White (Bob Rubery), Patrick White (Ruthie), and Christine Gray. Barbara was a Loving and devoted mother. In 1979 Barbara went to work for PGE where she enjoyed a long and successful career and made many close and dear friends. In 1990 Barbara married her second husband, Frank Navarra and with him came four additional children, Steve Navarra (Janet), Mike Navarra (Rhoda), Carol Barna, and Angie Schafroth (Brian). They were married 26 years when he passed away. They enjoyed many weekends visiting and playing with the grandchildren. They had sleep overs, bike rides, picnics, and beach trips. Barbara enjoyed entertaining her big extended family and showering them all with gifts. She did this lovingly for every Holiday and Birthday. She made the best Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings, the best Lasagna and a to die for Kahlua cake that we all fought over. She was an avid gardener known for her meticulous yard and beautiful garden overflowing with pink, purple and white flowers. She was an accomplished seamstress and made many outfits for herself and her children. Barbara loved and admired all of her many friends. They met often for sewing club, book club and sometimes just for lunch. She was part of a Bunko group that has been meeting for over 60 years. Barbara was known as “Kitty” to her 21 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren all of whom she adored. They in turn adored her. Barbara was always in good spirits and had a smile for everyone. She had a great sense of humor and an infectious laugh. She was kind, caring, intelligent, strong, and wise. She was the best and will be dearly missed by all who were lucky enough to know her. Barbara was preceded in death by her mother and father, her sister Kathy Birch and her second husband Frank. She is survived by her brother Robert Lazrine (Carol), her brother-in-law Joe Birch, her first husband Jack White, her cousin Mary Lee Lane, her children, stepchildren, grandchildren, great grandchildren, along with countless friends, family members and Action the beloved neighborhood cat. A funeral mass will be held at St. Rose Of Lima Church on May 4th at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Oregon Food Bank.