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Memorial Keepers(3)
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Barbara Jane Tauritz
December 12th, 1944 - June 14th, 2022
December 12th, 1944 - June 14th, 2022
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Tributes
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Rebekah Tauritz
The Christensen family- For about eight years, the Christensens and Barbara were neighbors across their shared back fence. They became really good friends, but given canine territoriality, their dogs did not. The dogs didn’t do well when a dog from the other side of the fence was out in the backyard. So when the Christensens wanted to let their dog out into their backyard, they’d phone Barbara and ask her to bring her dog(s) in. She called them when she was in a similar situation. Dave Christensen said it was sort of like the canine version of New York City’s alternate side of the street parking regulations. Dave was Barb’s “go to” tech support person and his family was the recipient of Barb’s quiches and other cooking in appreciation for his help. The Christensens recently moved to a new house, but that didn’t end their friendship--it only ended the need for their “dog in the backyard” calls. Quite a few members of the Bahai community shared memories of Barbara. Barbara cared for people and had many friends. She made friends wherever she went. If you went shopping with her, you realized she knew the folks who worked in the local stores and kept up with how they were doing. Barb looked after her friends, especially those who had difficulty getting around or didn’t have family support. She called folks frequently to make sure they were okay. Barb didn’t like to be negative; she encouraged her friends to have a positive outlook on life.
Rebekah Tauritz
Mark Alexander- Mark is in charge of a polling place during elections. A few years ago, Barbara took the training and began working as a poll worker. That’s how Mark and Barb first met. When voting ended, there’s still a lot of work to be done. Mark went over what had to be done and then Barb raised her hand and said “I have a better way to process the ballots.” She explained her way. Mark made it clear that there are official procedures for processing ballots. But Barb didn’t give up. She knew her way to do things was still better. They went back and forth for a long time till Mark finely prevailed. Everyone had to stay late that night to get the work done--not a popular move as their work day had started at 5 a.m. Mark later called the person in charge of assigning workers to polling places. Mark asked him to assign Barb to a different polling place than Mark’s for future elections. Mark didn’t want Barb’s “better way” to do things and her stubbornness to get in the way of their being friends.
Rebekah Tauritz
Linda Bitsui, who grew up in Brooklyn, started teaching in Kayenta about the same time Barbara did. The first thing Linda noticed about Barbara was her distinctive Brooklyn accent. They started comparing notes: which schools did you go to, what parks did you play in, which subway line was closest to you. Linda wondered how she and Barb could have lived so close to each other in NY and had to travel over 2000 miles to meet each other and become friends. But, once they met they became close friends. In fact, Linda’s children and grandchildren considered Barb to be a grandmother to them. Barb’s dogs and most of Linda’s dogs got along very well.
Rebekah Tauritz
Beth Anderson Barbara and I were first cousins; our moms were sisters. Barb grew up in Brooklyn, I grew up in Miami Beach. But, for many years our families spent summers together. Barbara and her family came to Florida; we all crowded into my parents’ house. Barb and I went to summer programs for kids at the local park. Our favorite things to do were going to the beach or running through sprinklers. As adults, Barb and I always lived far apart but we kept in touch with very long, frequent phone calls and occasional visits. I hope I was able to be as supportive to her as she was to me. Barb really cared about her students, particularly her special education students, and their families. She was very generous with her friends and loved to cook for them. As adults, Barb and I lived far apart and weren’t part of each other’s everyday lives. All of you gathered here to remember Barbara are her chosen family. I really want to thank you for being in Barb’s life and for being such a wonderful source of friendship and support for her. Rachel Anderson I have two daughters--Hannah who’s 8 and Esther who’s 4. Barbara “adopted” both of them as her granddaughters. She got them activity books and subscriptions to children’s magazines. They loved the magazines and loved getting mail addressed directly to them. Ever the teacher, Barbara paid attention to when the girls got old enough to graduate to magazines meant for older kids. Barbara knew where all of the best deals on children’s clothes in Flagstaff were. She regularly sent care packages with clothes and books for the girls. She knew exactly what girls my daughters’ ages liked-- clothes with rainbows, unicorns and pictures of Anna and Elsa. She also crocheted beautiful brightly colored sweaters for the girls. They loved getting packages from her. I knew Hannah understood that Barbara had died one day when we were folding and putting away clean clothes. Hannah asked me, “Who am I going to get clothes from now?”. I told her that her Dad and I and her grandparents were still going to be buying clothes for her and that she was going to be OK. When I walk around my house I see things from Barbara in every room. We all have dream catchers. There are Navajo carvings and weavings around the house that she sent us. We will all really miss Barbara.
Rebekah Tauritz
Cindy and the other folks from the dog groomers- -Recently, Barb started working as a receptionist at a dog grooming business. At least four people from the groomers came to the service; more than one of them spoke. (I apologize for not remembering all of your names, that is not one of my skills.) Barb’s death hit them all very hard. Barb had been at work the day before and was due back the day after she died. She had also made some food for Cindy and dropped it off at work on the day she died. It just didn’t seem possible that Barb had died.
Rebekah Tauritz
Anna Wesche was just minding her own business one morning at school when the substitute teacher was taking roll. All of a sudden“ she heard the sub say, ”Are you a Wesche? Are you a Wesche?”. Barb’s question thoroughly embarrassed and surprised Anna. Barb wanted to know if Anna was a relative” of Dr. Daniel Wesche. “Yes, his daughter”. She then told Anna that her Dad “walked on water”, that a surgery he had done saved Barbara’s life. At some point, after their first meeting, Anna became homeless. Barb took her in and she lived with Barb for the next 2 1/2 years. During that time Anna was able to get her high school diploma and attend beauty school. Anna described what living with Barb was like and how Barb’s cooking --chicken soup, quiche and other comfort food-- was an essential part of getting through difficult times. Anna said she misses Barb terribly and will always love her.
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