Ruth Barbeau Obituary

Ruth Anna Barbeau, 86, died July 28, 2007, in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Mrs. Barbeau was a long-time resident of Colorado Springs until moving to Fayetteville due to failing health in July 2004, to live with her son and daughter-in-law, Ray and Sandy Barbeau. Mrs. Barbeau was born in Bucyrus, Ohio, October 30, 1920, but moved to Colorado Springs with her parents, Albert and Edith Gosch, as a young child. She and her family lived initially at Woodmen, where her father was first a patient and then employee of the TB sanatorium. She remembered those years with much fondness and her account of life at Woodmen was recorded by Modern Woodmen of America for their historical archives. Ruth married Arthur A. Barbeau, then a young Army officer at Fort Carson, February 6, 1943. They were married over 50 years and lived at many Army posts in the U.S., as well as Japan and Germany. After her husband's retirement they returned to Colorado Springs, and Ruth went to work in the Supply Section at Fort Carson where she enjoyed working until her retirement in the mid-nineties. Upon her arrival in Fayetteville, Ruth joined Saint Patrick Catholic Church. She attended Senior's Day Out each Thursday morning at Haymount United Methodist Church. Ruth was an avid reader and TV sports fan, and enjoyed her daughter-in-law Sandy's southern cooking. Ruth was preceded in death by her husband Arthur and her sister Mary Friel. She is survived by her son, Ray Barbeau of Fayetteville, her daughter, Pam Barbeau of Anchorage, Alaska, three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Norma (Pat) Watson of El Paso, Texas, and brothers Albert (Joe) Gosch of Lakin, Kansas, and Tom Gosch of Colorado Springs. A memorial will be held at Sullivan Highland Funeral Home in Fayetteville on Thursday, August 2, 2007. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to either Saint Patrick Catholic Church Building Fund or Haymount United Methodist Senior's Day Out Program in Fayetteville, NC.