Barbara Reid Findeisen

In Memory of Barbara Reid Findeisen March 12, 1928 to October 2, 2021 This page was created to help bring together the memories and shared experiences with Barbara Reid Findeisen. The result will be a rich tapestry of stories, writings and photos, preserved for all who loved Barbara to see for years to come. Barbara’s life was a blessing, her memory a treasure and she was loved beyond words and will be missed beyond measure. “Okey dokel – here we go”.

One runs out of superlatives when speaking of Barbara Reid Findeisen. Our dear friend, confidant, life coach, Mother, Grandmother, Aunt and yellow lab lover crossed over on October 2, 2021 at the age of 93. Barbara’s inquisitive mind, ever-present enthusiasm and eternal hope for helping to make a better future for all, was exhibited through her creation and love of STAR, Pocket Ranch, Kenyon Ranch and at times, teaching A Course in Miracles, as only Barbara could. Born in Los Angeles, CA., she grew up a true California girl. She was a child actor and performer in her young years. Her Mother Helen Hollingsworth Reid was a talented seamstress who conjured up unique costume designs for young Barbara to perform in. Barbara’s father William Thomas Reid II, worked as a detective with the Los Angeles Police Department working the “Chinatown beat”. Barbara had an older brother Bill (Wm. T. Reid III), her “protector,” as she referred to him, and a sister Wanda, (Koskinen, Radcliff). Wanda strongly encouraged Barbara to attend Stanford after graduating from Franklin High School in Los Angeles, CA. She was accepted and so began her adventure and new life as a college student in northern California where she resided for over 50 years. Barbara met Charles, “Chuck”, Findeisen and they married upon her graduation from Stanford. She became an elementary school teacher and had three children over the course of ten years; David Reid Findeisen, Mark Jacques Findeisen, and Lisa Jean Griffen. Her love of flower arranging came from her home-based floral business she had when her children were very young.  She juggled, teaching, her busy commercial flower business that serviced corporate building lobbies and medical office clients, and of course raising children and managing their home.

While Barbara regaled her transformative years in her 40’s as her “awakening”, these were the years she went back to school to become a therapist and began practicing therapy. This is where my narrative takes a hard turn in the road as I have no history with Barbara for the next 46 years, other than what my Dad shared with me and what I have read. So, you see, while I had the first 13 years of my life with Barbara, we did not reconnect until Barbara’s brother “Billy”, my Dad, crossed over in January of 2008. Barbara and I more than made up for lost time these past 13 years. Our time together was often, and a blessing for each of us. There were adventures to be had, workshops to give, family stories and traditions to be shared and photographs to identify.

This is where all of you, dear friends and family, are needed to recreate those years by regaling your stories and experiences and feel free to post photos, memories and videos. Barbara said often that, “friendships are like jewels on a necklace, polished over time to become beautiful and enduring”. Barbara too had many facets that glittered and sparkled and illuminated for all to see in countless captivating ways. The fact remains that we are all energetically tied to Barbara’s spirit forever. In Loving Memory, Kathy Reid - Niece