Barbara Jeanette Brewer Busch received her angel wings on December 8, while embracing in a warm hug with her daughter. Barbara is now in the eternally loving arms of her sweetheart, Robert Ray Busch.
After being diagnosed with breast cancer in 1977, with a prognosis of only 2 months to live, Barbara continued to defy the odds and bravely fought for another 40+ years. You would often hear her say, with a twinkle in her eyes, "I want to live! I love living! I will keep fighting!" She faced cancer, and all of life, with pure grace, extreme strength, love, and a continual smile. Her sparkling positivity and unshakable will to live were amazing sights to behold.
Barbara was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on March 15, 1930 to George Brewer and Ruth Eddington. Three years later, Barbara was gifted a lovely baby sister, Joan, who became her lifelong best friend, sharer of laughs, and all of life's highs and lows. She also had a very talented brother, George, a film director, who shared her deep love of making Christmases magical, which they often created together.
Her childhood years were spent in Morgan, Utah and Sugarhouse, Utah. She loved swimming at Como, fishing with her sister and dad, and roller-skating, which she later did, competitively.
Barbara attended East High School and then The University of Utah. It was during this time at The U, her close friend, Starley Bush, lined her up with his brother, Bob. Bob and Barbara fell instantly in love and were married 2 weeks later in Rapid City, South Dakota on October 22, 1951, and their marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. This began their 59 year love affair. Their love and union was a blessing to behold. A commitment and bond that was a testament of true and everlasting love~
Bob and Barbara were blessed with 6 children, and you could often hear our mom exclaim, "My children are my life!" Being a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother was her most treasured and greatest joy!
And, it was those children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, family and dear friends who continually huddled around her and showered her with love and care, day and night.
Barbara was profoundly devoted to her church and spirituality. She held many callings in the church, with one of her most cherished being a Primary Teacher. She was also an unwavering and loving support for Bob in his church callings. She and Bob were thrilled to serve two LDS missions: University of Arizona, Tucson Institute and UCSD La Jolla Institute, and they were planning to serve a third. Barbara enjoyed spending time with her sweetheart, family vacations, ski trips, traveling and time at their beach home. She had a lifelong love of learning, reading and genealogy. However, her ultimate joy came from reveling in and celebrating the lives and experiences of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Bob and Barbara's life together was a rich tapestry woven throughout by generosity, deep compassion for others, humility, service and unconditional love. Barbara's kindness and radiance surrounded everyone she knew and touched. She was an extraordinary example of what it means to be supremely good, warm, generous and gentle. If you knew her, you loved her. And no one loved her more than her husband, Bob, and her family.
She was a brilliant light in the world, and she will be deeply, truly missed.
May we all carry on, and be inspired by, her beautiful legacy of unconditional love, generosity, selflessness and kindheartedness~
"Forever, and ever, and beyond."
Barbara is survived by: her children, Stephen, Sandra, Terri, Mike, Barbara Anne, Colette, sister Joan Manning, sisters-in-law Alyce Marie Brown, Misty Bush and Marge Bush, brother-in-law Terry Bush, 19 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and the families of Tom and Sharon James, Tri and Tran Nguyen, and Ben Yazzi.
Warm and loving thanks to Steve, Colette, Dr. Michael Cobble, Dr. Saundra Buys and Hunstman Cancer Institute Staff for their tender care and service.
A public viewing will be held on Wednesday, December 19, 2018, from 6:00 ‚ 8:00 pm at the Larkin Sunset Gardens Mortuary,1950 East 10600 South, Sandy, Utah. With a Private Graveside Service to take place.
