The two most important things in Barbara McLendon's life were her faith and her family. She led by example and lived what she believed.

Barbara was born on July 1, 1924, in Pendleton, Oregon, to Harry and Lorena Guderian who ran a self-sustaining ranch with livestock, wheat and hay. In her early years, Barbara grew up using coal-oil lamps, a woodstove, an outhouse and attended a one-room country elementary school.

She and her sister Mary Jane worked as ranch hands -- driving the tractor and wheat trucks -- and acquired a colorful vocabulary in the process!

Barbara graduated from Pendleton High School and became an Oregon State College Beaver for two years before World War II interrupted her studies. She was recruited for the clerical staff at the Pendleton airbase, where she recorded secret war reports for the military. Later, she became the head secretary at Pendleton High School.

She was lucky in love twice in her life. First with Guy Wyrick in 1944 with whom she had two children. Second with Malcolm McLendon in 1985 bringing his two children into the family.

Barbara also loved to travel and her life was filled with culture and curiosity. It started in high school when she traveled to Chicago as Oregon's delegate to the Daughters of the American Revolution Convention.  Later in life she visited 19 countries in the Middle East, Europe, Central and South America and Southern Africa. She particularly loved the African wildlife, traveling with the Vela Luka dancers to Croatia, and was daring enough to eat guinea pig, head and all, in Ecuador. She also traversed the United States and eastern Canada with her husband Malcolm in their Airstream trailer, which later their grandchildren enjoyed for camping trips and adventures across Washington State. Together they loved combing the beaches in search of those elusive blue agates.

Barbara displayed her artistic talents through her watercolors and needlepoint creations. She enjoyed trips to Seattle to hear the symphony and was a long-time patron of the Anacortes Community Theatre. She learned to snow ski and to sail and was affectionately known as the "white-knuckled sailor." She was always game for new adventures and did not let the Anacortes rain dampen her fun.

But above all, Barbara shared God's love through her treatment of others. She was a 70-year member of the PEO Sisterhood focusing on women's education. She was also an active supporter of the local Children's Orthopedic Guild and a dedicated member of her church and altar guild. Barbara lived her life through acts of kindness always grateful for her many blessings.

She died April 19, 2023, quietly with grace, the way she hoped she would do. She was preceded in death by her parents, two husbands, sister and step-son, Murray McLendon. She leaves behind her son, Curt Wyrick (Lori), daughter Tina (Martin Barron) and stepdaughter, Mary (Hal Cutting). Her grandchildren, Jenna, Katherine, Luke, Sarah, Clare and Sophie and four great-grandchildren Kayden, Tate, Corwin and Galen, added extra sparkle and joy to her life.

Barbara's Memorial Service will be held 2pm on June 26th at Christ Episcopal Church in Anacortes. A reception will follow in the Parish Hall. Earlier, she was laid to rest in the Pendleton Mausoleum next to her husband Malcolm and her family. Should you wish to make a memorial donation in her name, in lieu of flowers, please consider her one of three favorite charities: The Peo Sisterhood , Seattle Children's Hospital or the Salvation Army, Anacortes Chapter .

To share memories of Barbara please sign her guestbook at her memorial site with www.evanschapel.com/obituary/barbara-mclendon .