Barbara "Barboo" A. Davidson

A celebration of life will be held at Olinger Crown Hill Chapel of Peace, 7777 W. 29th Ave, Wheat Ridge, CO, at 10:00 a.m., with Craig Fortunato officiating. A reception will follow.

Barbara was born in Colorado Springs, to George and Alice Thornton, on July 9, 1927. She attended South High School, in Denver, and attended Denver University for two years. She worked as a secretary, finishing her career as a Denver Court Clerk. Barbara married Robert “Smokey” William Stoffel and they had four children. Her second husband was Dr. B.F. “Dave or Doc” Davidson and he brought 4 boys into the mix. She loved sports, especially golf, football and baseball. Movies, big band music, and looking her best appealed to her artistic and romantic sides. To stimulate her mind, she engaged in crossword puzzles (her “brain work”, as she called it), as well as reading. Her greatest joy was to be among her family and to love on her dog, Boo.

Barboo, as she was known by her children, close friends and extended family, was sharp in mind and wit, even up to a few hours before passing. Being around her when she was feeling at her best was characterized by her outer and internal beauty, joy, sense of humor, and a keen desire to understand and know you as a person. Due to her deep love and acceptance, abundant generosity, and her bright countenance and mind, Barboo’s influence was not only uplifting but life changing. As a result of her disease, Barboo questioned life’s suffering. Through her own suffering, she made a decision in her last days to put her trust in the Lord. Her faith for many of us brings joy and peace. Her proven and abiding love as a mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, and friend brings all of us comfort. She will be missed beyond measure.

Barbara is preceded in death by her spouse Dr. B.F. Davidson, parents George and Alice Thornton, sister Dorothy Thornton, twin sister Betty Thornton, and niece Andrea Huber Fucillo.

Barbara is survived by her 4 children: Mike (Connie) Stoffel of Parker, Dave (Jackie) Stoffel of Breckenridge, Steve (Brenda) Stoffel of Littleton, and Terry (Patrick) Nash of Fort Collins; 8 grandchildren: Shawn Stoffel (Jessica Olson), Jesse Stoffel, Courtney Stoffel Suedekum (Brad), Matt Stoffel, Nick Stoffel, Carley Stoffel, Mikenzie Nash Hodson (Aaron), and Adam Davidson; 5 great grandchildren: Easton Michael Stoffel, Ginger Marie, Sydney June and Emery Joy Davidson, and Titus Jay Hodson (on the way); and finally, 2 Nieces: Alisan Peters (Keith) and Joni Huber Risinger.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, at pancan.org, in honor of Barbara's niece Andrea Lyn Fucillo, who passed recently from pancreatic cancer.

Condolences may be left at CrownHillFuneral.com.

Our family wishes to extend their gratitude to an amazingly kind, caring and helpful network of friends, Abode Hospice of Denver, Pathways Hospice of Fort Collins, and all the wonderful care workers that took care of our beautiful mother.

Memories you hold close of your time with Barbara:

Mike

Mom always defended us even when we were bad. One time a neighbor stole a ball that we were playing with and she went over and got in an argument with their 3 family members. She told the old man that she would take him on with one arm tied behind her back. They eventually called the cops. We saw the cops laughing in their police car after hearing the complaint.

This is Terry adding to this story. Mom was sweet but if you crossed her children, she was like a mother hen. Mom was trying to get the ball back. The woman was very large in size and girth and the man was skinny. The argument escalated to the woman slapping mom. Mom was less than 5’. Mom slapped her back and the husband said, “Don’t slap my wife.” That is when mom said she could take him with one hand tied behind her back. He said, “I’d like to see you try.” Mom said, “Kids go get me a rope.” Fortunately, Doc showed up and helped bring it to an end. The cops laughing was a highlight.

There are so many positive memories that it is hard to identify which one is best. Later in life she joined a football pool to pick winners and place a confidence level on the games. She ended up winning one season against a male dominated group. Every week, we would compare our selections. She really enjoyed the competition.

Mom loved to golf. She did not hit it very far but she was a tiger around the green. She was always proud that she broke 100. One of my favorite pictures is her riding with me in a golf cart and the twins golf tournament.

Connie

That would be the fun things. We would joke around and she would call me a smart ass. I would say I’d rather be a smart ass than a dumb ass. She'd say you think you’re funny don’t you? I’d say Yes and she’d laugh and I’d say, see.

Terry

This isn’t my memory with her but a story I find funny. Mom and her friend Lorraine had season tickets to the Broncos. They took Jack Daniels with them until one day they made a rule that you can’t bring alcohol to the stadium. As they approached the gates, they were checking bags to make sure no one was taking anything in. Mom wasn’t young at the time. Here are these two little sharp looking ladies going through the check and the guy says to mom, “Can I check your bag?” Mom said, “No, thank you and walked right in”. They didn’t even question her and let her go in.

What I hold close is always having her to talk to, changing Kenzie’s diaper in the back of a trunk in a rain storm with mom holding an umbrella, being in the bookstore rocking back and forth with the stroller and noticing mom swaying with me, sitting close together on one end of the couch, taking photos together with Mikenzie in a photo booth, watching her open her presents at Christmas, dancing to big band music, and listening to her vividly describing seeing Jesus hours before she passed away.

Pat

Terry and I had just made the difficult decision to leave our ministry roles with a church in Durango, Colorado. We were young, in our early 20’s, we loved our church family, and we loved the mountains and our home away from home in Durango; yet, we knew that we were unable to make it work for us financially if we remained. Being the early 80’s, our country was in a deep recession, and jobs were very difficult to come by, so we decided to move to Denver, find jobs, and start afresh. As part of our plan, we asked Barboo and Doc if we could move our belongings into their garage for a short time while we located a place to live and look for work. We soon ran out of savings and ended up staying with them for 3 months! We couldn’t find jobs, it was humbling, and it was, in my mind, a huge imposition on Barboo and Doc. What I learned was who Barboo and Doc were: trusting, warm, fun, generous, loving, kind, and respectful. They never let on that they minded us being there. Sure, we did our part to make it easy on them, by working around the house, and cooking and cleaning for them. They also knew we were trying to get work, move out, and get on. I’ll never forget the freedom we were granted to stay with them for so long, despite how difficult the circumstances.

My most treasured memory is the hour-long visit I had with Barboo, the day before she died. We all knew that she was choosing to go off oxygen the next day and would pass. I felt the need to see her before her kids were due to arrive later in the day, so I called her up and asked if I could come and talk with her. I had a full heart and knew it was going to be emotional for both of us – it was, but boy was it a beautiful conversation! We talked about what we loved about each other. What I appreciated was that I got to hear how much she admired my relationship and my love for her daughter Terry, and that I gave her so much time to be with her daughter- just the 2 of them, and that she had wished we could have spent more time together with me - just the 2 of us. She later called me her buddy. She asked me insightful questions about her newfound salvation in the Lord and wanted me to help her trust God as she passed. So much more was said and shared. It was the most impactful conversation I’ve ever experienced as a person and as a Christian. What a gift and an honor!

Finally, Terry and I had the privilege to be with Barboo while she passed. It was about 2:00 in the afternoon, and the nurses had just arrived to tell her they were going to begin the process of letting her pass. Gradually, over the course of many hours they would reduce her oxygen, while at the same time increase her pain and anxiety medications (anxiety is a huge for people suffering from lung diseases), and then end with high doses of morphine to ease the final stages. During this time, the three of us intimately shared with each other, telling stories, expressing regrets, laughing and crying. Early in the process, with her eyes closed, she said, “Oh, I see Jesus!”. Terry and I looked at each other, wide eyed, mouths open. She went on to explain his appearance and that He was welcoming her. As she was doing this we were jumping up and down and celebrating! Later He left. This reminded me that the day before we had discussed how she was having trouble trusting Jesus, and this was His answer and hers! Later, she had her last 2 drinks of Jack Daniels – she savored every drop and told the nurse that it was yummy (with a grin so precious). We continued our support of her, watching her suffer, in a muted way, due to the medication and the excellent care from the nurses. It took 10 hours before she really began to die. Over that 12 hours, we were blessed to help her process her journey from life to death, knowing that she would end up in Jesus’ arms. It was a true lovefest for each us. Again, what a gift and an honor!

Jackie Stoffel

Spheeris Pilates & Wellness

One of my first memories of Barboo was almost 42 years ago when Dave and I first met. At the time I was a vegetarian and she was totally baffled as to what she should feed me at a family gathering! The first time I was over for a meal I think she made five different kinds of vegetables and still felt like I left disappointed. No amount of assurance was adequate! I think she was relieved when I was pregnant with Courtney and started eating meat again! I think over the years she was intrigued by my alternative lifestyle. Alternative foods and medicines, herbal remedies, energy medicine and healing touch for animals and humans. Dance and fitness and movement as a way to earn a living didn’t seem strange to her, And even though she didn’t understand it she always had a lot of questions for me regarding my Pilates business and what I did with energy medicine. We had many interesting conversations regarding these topics, I think she was one of the most open-minded people in the world and just listened intently to what I had to say. She didn’t downgrade me or make me feel small for my different viewpoints. I think she appreciated me and always made me feel special. I’m pretty sure her grandchildren felt the same way in her presence. I so enjoyed our solo visits because she told me some things about herself that I was in total awe and reverence of. The conversation was always enlightening and very healing for me because I didn’t have an adult relationship with my own Mom. She was always up for fun and a joke and enjoyed life to the hilt. It was so sad these last several years to watch her decline when she couldn’t do the things that made her happy and gave her Joy. As a family I know we always looked forward to going to visit because Doc and Barboo’s house was always filled with good cooking, lots of laughter and love. And the prettiest Christmas decorations you had ever seen. One time Barboo and Doc came up to take care of the kids while Dave and I had a little getaway. It was unusual for us to go anywhere without them and just as unusual for them to come up to the mountains to visit. I think they attended a dance concert of Courtney‘s maybe even a swim meet which was above and beyond the call of duty. Probably some hockey with Matt and took care of our unruly dogs too. When we got home all my dirty laundry that had piled up in the laundry room was folded and stacked on our dining room table! The microwave was spotless and the place had been vacuumed and dusted. She was never one to sit idle and wanted to help wherever she could. I wish they could have come to visit more often! For Christmas last year Dave and I gave Barboo a gift certificate to go eat prime rib at the Keg. Between living in the mountains and her not feeling well it became increasingly difficult to find a time. It never happened. Instead we ended up bringing prime rib dinner to her for Easter last year. It was a special joy to be able to create a wonderful meal for her in her own kitchen that she didn’t have to lift a finger to. And guess what? It was meat-based! I think she got a special kick out of that. The last time I saw her, she told me how much she loved me, like one of her own, and that she was glad I was her daughter. I told her I was glad she was my Mama, really my only for 42 years. You will always be in our hearts Barboo, we miss you more than you can imagine. Love, Jackie

Margie and I moved to Phoenix in the early 80s and because we had a pool, we would get a lot of guests.

Doctor Dave and Mom were coming down to visit. It was always great when they would come because we always ate a little better and played golf at nicer golf courses than what we could afford. After a night of drinking and getting excited to play golf in the morning, Mom and I thought it would be a good idea to go out with our clubs and practice our swings in the dark front yard. We woke up in the morning to go to golf and saw that where we were practicing our swings looked like someone was digging a hole in the yard. Mom and I laughed all the way to the course. It came up in our memories often.

Steve

Another memory from Shawn

My favorite memories were always the Christmas parties growing up. As a kid, it was always about the gifts lol (what kid isn’t about the gifts) but as I got older I really enjoyed getting the family together and understanding how special it is to get the family together and actually enjoying the company because I realized that not every family were as lucky as us to have Christmas parties like that. It’s a tradition that I treasure and will continue to carry on with my kids for years to come.

Funny story.... One year at the Christmas party when I about 18 - 20 years old. I realized why everyone was really happy and enjoying the themselves at those parties. It was the booze lol I remember thinking these guys are getting hammered and I can’t wait until I turn 21.

I will greatly miss Barboo and I feel absolutely blessed to be able to call her my grandmother. I know she will always be apart of me. I can attribute my love of Mexican food, ice cream, whiskey and fashion to my fabulous Barboo.

I am Barbara Davidson's daughter-in-law and wanted to share a couple special memories of her:

My favorite memories of Barboo revolve around helping her plant her flowers in the summer and decorate her tree at Christmas.

Barboo loved planting flowers in the summer, and to be honest, was a little overly obsessive about them! She wanted to have the prettiest flowers on the block (and always did!). Her favorite, and only, colors that she planted were bright purple, bright pink, and white. Years ago, she would plant them with me and instruct me where every flower was to be placed, strategically spacing them out and separating the colors. I was always exhausted by the time I got home.

With Barboo’s eyesight and physical limitations over the past couple years, she would have us buy her flowers and direct us how to plant them. This past year was such a challenging year for her, and she had a difficult time even getting outside. Margie and I purchased her flowers and were able to get her to come outside and sit on her walker to watch us. It was one of the most special times that I will always cherish. I know she felt miserable, yet she wanted to make sure that we didn’t mess up her flowers! She couldn’t really see them, yet she insisted that the pinks weren’t bright enough, as compared to previous years. Like good daughter-in-laws, we returned the flowers to Home Depot and exchanged them for a brighter pink. All the pink flowers were the same color so we basically just exchanged them for new flowers. We brought them home and Barboo said they were “much better”!

Barboo also loved her Christmas Tree. Every year she decorated her tree perfectly. The ornaments all matched, the ribbon was perfectly strung, and all the bulbs were perfectly spaced on the tree. She always wanted to do it herself (I don’t think she thought anyone could do it as good as her, which was true).

Last year, Barboo asked for my help in getting some new “white Christmas bulbs” for her tree. I asked her if she wanted any specific bulbs and she said, no honey, just white. I went to Hobby Lobby and purchased 6 dozen white Christmas bulbs and brought them over to her. I could tell by the look on her face, she did not like them. She asked me if I could find some white “frosted” bulbs. I returned the bulbs to Hobby Lobby and found some white “frosted” bulbs at Michaels. I had to go to 2 stores, but finally found 6 dozen and brought them over to her. Again, they were just not what she was looking for. She thought maybe white “pearl” bulbs would be the answer. I took the white frosted bulbs back to Michaels. I then went to Walmart, Target, The Christmas Store, and any store I could think of, to buy ANY sort of white bulb. I purchased about $200 of Christmas bulbs that weekend and brought them over to her. She picked 2 dozen out of the group and I spent the remainder of the day returning all the rejected white bulbs. The end of the story – her Christmas tree was absolutely beautiful!

Thank you,

Brenda Stoffel