- Date Of Birth: July 16, 1936
- Date Of Death: February 12, 2009
- State: Arizona
Barbara Jo Harbaugh, 72, of Mesa, Arizona made her transition to Heaven on February 12, 2009. She was born July 16, 1936 in Lewis, Indiana and graduated along with 17 other students in the class ’54 from Blackhawk High School, Blackhawk, Indiana. Barbara received her Registered Nursing Degree from Union Hospital in Terre Haute, IN and completed her Bachelor’s Degree from Indiana State University. She worked in neurosurgery at the VA Hospital in Indiana and also educated young nurses at the Methodist Hospital in Madison, WI where she also supervised clinical operations during the evening.
Barbara moved to Arizona in 1986 where she pursued her career in geriatric nursing, eventually regulating the state of Arizona’s Long Term Care and Assisted Living communities. She had a great sense of humor and people loved to be with her. She was a spark of light in every heart that she touched. She had a crusty exterior, but a gentle soul. She was an avid sports fan and was an original member of the Madison Packer Backers and an inaugural season ticket holder for the Phoenix Mercury. Barbara loved traveling in her motor home and had many life long friends. She never forgot to recognize a birthday, anniversary or other special occasion with a card or personal note.
Barbara enjoyed 26 years with her life partner, Sylvia Balistreri. She readily adopted Ben and Amy (Sylvia’s children)as her own. Her parents, Josephine Scamihorn and Howard Harbaugh preceded her in death. She is survived by brothers Jerry of Gilbert, AZ and Jim of Terre Haute, IN; nieces and nephews Lee Harbaugh, Diane Houser, Lara Melling, Art Harbaugh, and Jamie Harbaugh and numerous grand nieces and grand nephews.
