| Notes |
- Barbara Jean Doenges Green (née Sharp), our dear sister, step-mother and friend, passed away of old age at 93 on November 14, 2015 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with family by her side. Barbara was a fine, strong woman with a kind heart and a nurturing, accepting, loving fondness for her family and so many others who entered her life. In her knowing way and by her example, Barbara helped teach us about who we really are while living genuinely. Her kindness marked us all. Barbara leaves us with a smile in our hearts and the comfort that she is with her Creator and with us always.
Barbara was born in Pea Ridge, Arkansas, to parents Perry Commodore Sharp and Myrl Swift Sharp. Barbara grew up from humble roots through the Great Depression years. Her parents moved about seeking work. Barbara knew scarcity and gratitude for small things during her childhood. Barbara was transferred into the custody of her kindly Aunt Ad and Uncle Jack in Virginia to assist with her upbringing and completion of high school, while her parents endured Depression challenges. Barbara worked for a time in bookkeeping. Barbara made her last home prior to taking on married life in Noble, Illinois, where her parents are interred in Hanna Cemetery northwest of Noble.
Barbara married four times, first to Travis Stephens who passed away during the Invasion of Normandy in World War II. Later she married Max Arnold, an oilman, living in Illinois and Ohio until she was divorced. In Olney, Illinois, she later married Dr. John (Jack) P. Doenges whose four children, Peter, Susan, Karen and Mark, she adopted. Barbara lived many good years with Jack, helping create a family home they built with a private lake on 120 acres of farmland and old growth hardwood forest in rural Olney. Barbara tended to the home, gardening, planting trees, the orchard, lake and many other chores. Barbara traveled extensively with Jack as he attended medical conferences. They built a second home on the Doenges Lake and lived together until Jack died in 1990.
In late 1996, Barbara married Charlie Green, an earlier resident of Olney and prior acquaintance of Barbara. Barbara then moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, to join him and his family there. Charlie and Barbara lived sweet years together in a Spanish-style home as she enjoyed his daughter, Mitzi and her husband, Pat Loftus. As their healthcare needs changed, Charlie and Barbara moved into the senior living complex, The Montebello on Academy, in Albuquerque. Barbara came into many valued friendships with Montebello members and healthcare workers. After Charlie passed away in 2008, she lived alone and enjoyed most considerate care by hospice staff from 2012 onward. Barbara was under hospice care with devoted, loving Loftus family support until she passed away.
Barbara was loving and considerate with her husbands. Though she bore no biological children, she worked honestly to earn the respect of all the family children she took in. Barbra retained an affecting Arkansas warmth and accent, and charmed the socks off people in an endearing, genuine way. Barbara lived with grit and grace. Barbara was down-to-earth, with a seasoned wisdom, warmth and wry humor, forthright manner, tender listening ear, sound advice without judgment valued by family in trying situations, and love she could not help directing everywhere. Barbara raised homemaking to an art form while tending and fiddling with her projects. Barbara had a sharp eye for detail and surrounded herself with beauty. Barbara had a talent for genuine interest in the welfare and happiness of others, who reciprocated heartily. Barbara emanated a subtle aura that drew rapid respect and might be assumed as a mark of royalty, though she clung to her humble roots. Barbara is dearly missed, yet she is perfect now in the soulful embrace of her Creator and all those gone before whom she blessed with such heart and grace.
Immediate family members who survive Barbara include her sister, Jerre (John) Pugh, her niece and nephew by Jerre, Cynthia Wright and James Wright, her adopted children by Jack, Peter (Vicki) Doenges, Susan (Don) Graham, Karen (Chuck) Vavrin and Mark (Joyce) Doenges and Mitzi (Pat) Loftus, Charlie's daughter. Grandchildren who survive Barbara include Scott (Subin) Doenges, Sarah (Nathan) Stevens, Matt (Holly) Garrison, Michael (Jamie) Garrison, Louise (Tyler) Bexley, and Susan (Jake) Stewart.
Family and friends will gather in Olney, Illinois, on Saturday, April 30, 2016 for a modest church service and informal celebration of her life. Her remains will be interred with those of husband Dr. John P. Doenges, who predeceased her, in Olney's Haven Hill Cemetery.
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1922 - 2015 (93 years)
