Barbara Marie (Bovela) Lynch

Cherished wife, mother, sister, and friend died amidst loved ones at St Joseph’s Hospital. Faithful, giving, and quietly serving, she was a blessing to all who knew her and will be sorely missed. She loved to quilt, write, research, and solve mysteries & puzzles. She enjoyed English literature, pen pals around the world, and writing & critiquing poetry. She loved in action, serving both individuals and the community, including: St Joseph’s Church in Lynden WA, the Friends of the Everson Library, Whatcom Genealogical Society, WA State Genealogical Society, Bellingham Public Library, Peaceable Quilters Guild, and Northwest Stone Sculptors Assoc. Her beautiful quilts have warmed the needy, and her kindness and compassion have ministered to many. Born in Seattle, the first child of Emil and Theresa Bovela , Barbara enjoyed six siblings: Nancy Castro, Carol Otrosa, David Bovela, Mary Bovela, Dennis Bovela, and Estee Taschereau. She graduated from Holy Angels High School, Highline Community College, and earned both BA and MA in Human Services from Fort Wright College. She had varied employment as bookkeeper, editor, social worker, and researcher. In 1961 Barbara married Navy veteran Bernard Paul Darilek, birthing four children, Angela Doty, Paul Darilek, Ronald Darilek, and Diane Darilek. She married John Ward Lynch in 1974, gaining 12 step-children: Sue Pierce, Lorraine Tedrow, Jane Ellen Lynch, John Lynch, Elizabeth Lynch, Tom Lynch, Christopher Lynch, Christina Lee, Michael Lynch, Peter Lynch, Anastasia Miller, and Anthony Lynch. They moved to Okanogan, WA, where together they enjoyed involvement in varied fine arts, music and theatre events including numerous Gilbert & Sullivan productions, and tending their business, The Okanogan Artisan. In 1993, they settled in Everson, finding great pleasure in community service and involvement in the arts. Barbara was preceded in death by her husband Ward in January of 2016, and by her parents, brothers, and two step-children, Sue and John. She is survived by her four sisters, four children, and the remaining ten stepchildren, as well as many grandchildren and great- grandchildren. Barbara’s priorities in life were “Love God, and love others.” A quote she liked simply says “Kindness, I’ve discovered, is everything in life.”