Barbara Jean Cooksey, 74, of Moscow, died Thursday, Sept. 27, 2018, at Gritman Medical Center.
Barbara was born May 24, 1944, in Yakima, to Robert B. and Edna M. Wilson Haley. The family moved to the Moscow area when she was a child. She and Fain Thomas “Tom” Cooksey Jr. were married in Moscow on Dec. 23, 1963. They moved to Twentynine Palms, Calif., while Tom served in the U.S. Marines. Following his discharge, they returned to the Moscow area, where they raised their two daughters.
After the girls started school, Barbara went to work in banking. Then in 1985, she joined the University of Idaho, retiring in 2005. Tom and Barbara enjoyed their retirement together, traveling and spending time with family.
Barbara was actively involved in women’s ministries at the Moscow Church of the Nazarene, where she formed dear friendships. She enjoyed serving her church in any way possible. She was active in various ministry projects, belonged to a garden club and helped with the Latah County Fair for many years. She enjoyed scrapbooking, gardening and traveling with her family, including many special trips with her sibling and cousins Patricia Bates and Donald Gayman. Disneyland was one of her favorite destinations and she was often referred to as the “Disney Princess.”
Barbara is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Kim and Clay Presby and Pam and Scott Beutler, all of Moscow; grandchildren Scott, Steven, Storm, Colton, Caiden, Page and Marilyn. Also surviving is her sister, Marilyn Shea of Spokane, brother Robert Haley of Spokane, and brother Bradley and wife Pen Haley of Thailand; and Jodean Moore of Moscow, a longtime friend, neighbor and confidant.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 44 years, Tom; her parents; and her in-laws, Fain Sr. and Berndenia Cooksey.
At her request, a private graveside service will be held at the Moscow Cemetery.
Friends and family are invited to a luncheon at 11 a.m. next Saturday at the Moscow Church of the Nazarene Fellowship Hall to celebrate Barbara’s life. The family suggests memorials be made to the women’s ministries at the Moscow Nazarene Church.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Short’s Funeral Chapel of Moscow, and online condolences may be sent to www.shortsfuneralchapel.net.
