Barbara Jean Daily nee Graham

September 14th, 1932 - May 12th, 2020

Memorial

Mementos

On May 12, 2020, Barbara Jean Daily (nee Graham), age 87, passed away at Brookdale Santa Catalina in Tucson, Arizona following a valiant struggle with cancer. She was beloved by her family and many friends. Her children and grandchildren were blessed to have had the opportunity to spend wonderful times with her over the years, and finally, to say goodbye to her before her death. In addition to extended family and treasured friends in Arizona and Indiana, Barbara is survived by her children: Linda Netherton (Doug Longhurst) of Summerland, British Columbia, Canada; and Stephen Netherton, Douglas Netherton, William Netherton, Jr. (Judi Hartley), and Robert Netherton, all of Tucson. Her brother, Lloyd Graham, Jr. (Anderson, Indiana), predeceased her by a few short weeks. Barbara is also survived by grandsons, Christopher Netherton of Roselle, Illinois, and Evan Johnson and Andrew Longhurst of Vancouver, British Columbia. Her recent joy was the 2019 birth of great-grandson, Levi Jacob Longhurst, to Andrew and partner, Mia Edbrooke. Barbara was a beautiful woman who loved gardening, cooking, entertaining and conversation. She is remembered for her kind and gentle nature, love of children, and sense of fun. Her children remember their many vacations to the beach in San Diego. Barbara also made sure the family went swimming together virtually every day in the summer, eating the lunches she packed, and having a grand time outdoors. Many evenings Barbara would announce an outing to the drive-in theater, load the popcorn, blankets, dog, 5 kids in pajamas, and an occasional friend or cousin, so everyone could enjoy sitting under the stars watching favorites -- Disney movies and Westerns! Barbara was born on Sept. 14, 1932 in Anderson, Indiana to Lloyd A. Graham and Beatrice Cornner. Her parents divorced when she was 3, and from age 3 to 7 she lived with her paternal aunt, Olive, uncle Joe Habben, and cousins Edith and John, on a farm outside Kokomo, Indiana. Edith was like a sister to Barbara, and the two remained close throughout life. When her father remarried, Barbara lived with him and his wife, graduated from Anderson High School in 1950, and attended Ball State Teachers College. After a year, she joined her mother in Tucson and resumed her studies at the University of Arizona. There she met her first husband, married, and raised a family until her divorce 18 years later. She then returned to Indiana with her five children, and took a position working for Howard County in Kokomo, where she remained for 28 years until her retirement. In 1972, she met Robert J. Daily, a County Commissioner at the time, and they married shortly thereafter. Together they traveled to Arizona, the Carolinas, Florida, and the Gulf Coast, and enjoyed a long and happy marriage until his death in 2008. Barbara then returned to Tucson to be close to her sons. During summers, she visited her daughter in Oregon and Canada, enjoying many adventures to the mountains, lakes, and seaside. Barbara lived happily for over 10 years at Tucson's Fellowship Square, where she made many friends, and volunteered as a Greeter and the Chair of the Red Hats Group. She organized charitable giving to help the needy and participated regularly in Bible Study. As her health began to fail, she moved to Brookdale Santa Catalina, where she made new friends and enjoyed viewing hummingbirds and desert wildlife from her window. Her family extends its deepest gratitude to the staff of Brookdale Santa Catalina and Casa De La Luz Hospice, and her nurse practitioner, Eric Van der Lelji, for the loving care she received on her final journey. The family will hold a Celebration of Life at a future time and place in the interests of protecting the health and safety of all. At this time of great need, please remember Barbara with a gift in her memory to the Food Bank in your community.

Tributes

Share a favorite memory, send condolences, and honor Barbara’s life with a heartfelt message.

Linda Netherton

In these difficult times, when so many are in need, I remember the lessons Mom taught me, by her example. As a child I recall that my mother never judged or turned away anyone who came to our door in need of help. Until I was 10 we lived in a neighborhood about a mile from a train line. People always called the men who rode the rails in those days, bums. But I think they were simply poor or sick at heart or in body. They must have made a mark somewhere near our house to indicate to one another that if water or food was needed, the lady of the house was kind. And so men would come every so often, one at a time, in ragged clothes, with careworn faces, and ask to please have a drink of water from the garden hose. Despite having five little children to manage, my Mom always said, "yes." Then she'd add, "if you wait a minute, mister, I'll bring you a sandwich." When I was fearful of these strangers, Mom would say, "Linda, these people are poor, and they may be different from us, but that doesn't make them dangerous." Then she'd remind me that when her family went through the Great Depression, they were often hungry, but everyone in their community helped out to make sure everyone got something to eat. As an adult, I saw that she always lent a helping hand if she could. At her home in Fellowship Square, a friend began to suffer from dementia, forgetting how to find her apartment, how to find her way to the dining room, even how to dress. Mom began to show up to her apartment before meal times, help her dress, hold her hand, guide her to the dining hall, and bring her home, making sure she was okay until her family could help more. She lent her time to help another dear friend realize she was eligible for more social security benefits, and went with her to apply, so her friend could feel confident and able to assert her rights. She listened to many sorrowful tales and always offered kindness, support and encouragement. Many more people will need help in the days, months, even years ahead. I want to be guided by Mom's example, and help without judgment. We are richer for what we give.

Published June 10th, 2020

Cliff L

Such a beautiful lady in every sense of the word. I cherish the times we spent together and our long conversations. No matter what she had going on, Barb would put others first and had a special quality of always making me feel so welcome and an important person in her life. The memories are fond. Peace and love.

Published May 28th, 2020

Ian Netherton

From Ian Wayne Netherton: I will always remember my favorite aunt Barb with the fondest of memories! During many visits to Tucson from Northern California almost every year as I was growing up aunt Barb provided me with so much love and attention as a young teen ager. Older than my cousins, she would invite me to go with her on various shopping outings making me feel appreciated in both my company and communications. I remember so well our talks. Such a warm, beautiful and special lady. All my love, sweet aunt Barb.

Published May 27th, 2020

Evan Johnson

From Bill Netherton: "This is a letter that I wrote to mom when I was at her bedside on Friday 5/8/20 which was four days before she passed."

Published May 28th, 2020

Evan Johnson

From Laura Aycock: "I adored your Grandmother...no one like her ever again. The most beautiful, kind and loving human I've ever known. I am so very sorry for your loss...she will be greatly missed."

Published May 27th, 2020