Barbara Bartroff Tilly

Barbara Bartroff Tilly January 5, 1936 – May 20, 2024 Wenatchee, WA Our precious mother fought a valiant battle against heart and kidney failure and entered Heaven on Monday, May 20, 2024, at the age of 88. Mom was born January 5, 1936, at the Waldo Hospital in Seattle, WA, to Wanda and W. Waldo Bartroff. The family moved to Cashmere, WA, in 1941, where Mom attended school K-12, graduating from Cashmere High School in 1954. At Cashmere High School, Mom served as Student Body Secretary and Princess Cashmere for the Apple Blossom Festival. One of the favorite jobs Mom held was working college summers at the Aplets & Cotlets factory in Cashmere, leading visitors on tours. Mom received her Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Music Education from the University of Washington (UW) in 1958. At the UW, she was a member of the Alpha Delta Pi sorority, was named UW Outstanding Sophomore Girl, and was elected President of the Associated Women Students. In the summer of 1958, Mom received a phone call from that handsome Tilly boy from Dryden, WA, Earl Tilly. They had danced at a Cashmere/Dryden school dance six years earlier! A fun summer romance blossomed. However, Mom was headed to sunny California to begin her teaching career that fall, and a boy was not going to get in the way. Mom taught public school music in Mt. Eden School District in Hayward, CA. After a two-year long distance relationship, Dad convinced Mom to return to the Wenatchee Valley, where she became a Pioneer Junior High music teacher. Mom and Dad were married June 10, 1961, and Mom's Pioneer orchestra and choir provided the wedding music. Through the years, Mom loved running into former students who sang or played at their wedding. Mom and Dad would have celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary in June. In the fall of 1961, Mom and Dad returned to the UW for Dad to finish his degree, and Mom to complete her Master of Arts in School Guidance and Counseling. Following graduation, Dad became the manager of the family business in Wenatchee, WA, Tilly Equipment, and Mom was a Sophomore Counselor at Wenatchee High School. In 1964, their first child, Kristen, was born, followed by Bart in 1967, and Shannon in 1971. Our mother loved taking care of her family, performing on the piano, and being involved in many church, community, and political activities. She served as President of Wenatchee Valley Symphony, Chelan-Douglas County Republican Women, Grace Lutheran Church, Habitat for Humanity, and Chapter CC P.E.O. She also served on the board of the Community Foundation of NCW, the Governor's Mansion Foundation Board and on the UW Alumni Board. Mom and Dad were devoted Rotarians, inspired by the missions of this service club. In 1990, Mom was elected to the Chelan County PUD Commission and served two, six-year terms. During this time, she served as president of the Washington State Public Utilities District Board. She was active in Dad's political life when he was a Washington State legislator, Washington State Director of Farmers Home Administration, and Mayor of Wenatchee. Mom carried her acts of service into her retirement years, living out the action of Service Above Self. She started the Packing Friendship program in the greater Wenatchee Valley, providing weekend food bags for children and families in need. The project now has 20 churches, three service clubs and a mom's group filling the backpacks. Over 517 children receive these weekly food bags in the Wenatchee and East Wenatchee school districts. Mom also had a passion for helping the Ukranians who have settled in Wenatchee, raising funds for their living expenses and helping them find comfort in our country. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers: Wray and Jack; and granddaughter, Lindley Norton. Mom is survived by our father, Earl Tilly; and we three kids and our families: Kristen and Bill Jacobs of Boise, ID, Bart and Coreen Tilly of Wenatchee, WA, and Shannon and Craig Norton of Salt Lake City, UT. Her six grandchildren: Hanna, Lucas, Ellie, Patrick, Connor and Sam, loved their Grammie, her kind heart toward them and having her and Dad at their activities. Mom shared her love of Jesus with everyone she could - hospital workers, physical therapy aides, neighbors, and friends. When Mom told you she would pray over you, she meant it. Prayer was a key part of her life. Mom made everyone around her feel loved and valued. We are grateful for the years our Mom shared with us and how much she adored Dad. Please join us to Celebrate Mom's Life on Saturday, June 15, 2024, at 1:30 p.m., at Grace Lutheran Church, 1408 Washington Street, Wenatchee, WA. If you wish to give a Memorial in Mom's name, it can be given to either the Packing Friendship Program or as seed money to help start the Grace Lutheran Church Youth Music Outreach Ministry. The address for both of these is 1408 Washington Street, Wenatchee, WA, 98801. Please indicate the gift is in memory of Barbara Tilly. We express our sincere thanks to Mom and Dad's family and friends who have helped them, especially as Mom's health declined. We so appreciate Confluence Hospice Services, Serengeti Care, and the Grace Lutheran Church Social Concerns team who provided care and meals. Mom's life was well lived as a good and faithful servant.

Tributes

Barbara Bartroff Tilly

January 5, 1936 - May 20, 2024