Still Cracking Wise

I knew of Barbara before I actually met her and became friends with her. She was known by many as the woman who wrote the history column in the Coloradoan. Folks loved her column but always commented, “but that hat!” I finally broke down and asked Barbara about “that hat.” Turns out her best childhood friend’s daughter got married at the Avery House and chose a Victorian theme for the wedding. Barbara was the “other mother” to the bride, so she was included in the family wedding party. They all dressed in Victorian garb and Barbara wore the hat. Barbara’s eyes lit up as she told the story, a story of a joyful family gathering and celebration. The wedding was three decades ago and yet the hat decorated the door of her apartment at Brookdale Assisted Living where her days ended.

Submitted by Jane Everham

By: Kirsten Hartman