“What we once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose,
for all that we love deeply becomes part of us.” This quote is from Helen Keller and certainly
sums up how we feel about our dear friend, Barb O’Fallon. She has truly become a part of us in so many
ways and our love for her is deep.
I first met Barb in the early 1990s when she was a parent
and I was the principal at Gilbert El.
Sean and Kelly were students and she was a very involved parent. She became our PTSO president and I will
always remember her coming in to help or run things off and Ryan was always
with her as he wasn’t in school yet.
She was such a great parent to work with and she truly cared and
supported her kids and Gilbert El.
After Ryan went to school, Barb decided to go back to
work. We had an opening for an office
assistant/instructional assistant in January, 1994. I hired her and soon after had an opening for school secretary (they are now
called, administrative assistant). There
was no doubt in my mind that she was the best candidate for that position. And I can truly say, 25 years later, that
she was the best of the best.
Barb quickly became an integral part of Gilbert El. I feel that I had a very successful career
and absolutely believe that she was one of the reasons for that. She treated everyone so incredibly
well. She always had a smile on her
face—no matter what! And she truly loved
our children, families and staff. That
was what was most important to me.
But the added bonus we got with Barb, was her smarts and her
ability to do the budget, as well as many other important tasks. Budgeting was my greatest weakness and she
kept me in line. If it hadn’t been for Barb, we would have probably
been out of money by November because I always wanted to give anyone anything
they wanted when they asked. However, I
was able to “blame” Barb. Many of you
will remember how many times I had to tell you that I had to grovel to Barb to
get any money! It was true!
Through the years, we had many different programs on our
campus to help our community. I remember
the look that I got from her when I let another one in. I knew that soon I would get the visit and
the budget lecture from her! Sheila, she
would say, I know all of these are important to you, but remember when we have
all of these extra people on our campus, that means we need more toilet paper
and paper towels! I told her I knew that
but to please make it work. And she
did. For that I will ever be grateful. And I will always remember with a smile what
I call, “THE TOILET PAPER LECTURE!”
Through the years we worked together, we became very close.
I knew I could count on her for anything.
I also knew how much she loved so many people. I remember her talking about her
grandparents, Big Mama and Big Daddy.
How she loved them. I remember
when her parents moved to Arizona and how thrilled she was to have them here. She
would always tell me about the fun times they had together. I remember all of
the times that Steve came by school and how much she loved him. They had a special relationship. And of course, she was an amazing parent to
Sean, Kelly and Ryan and was always proud of them. In the later years, her grandchildren were
what she cherished so much.
We went through so many things together. We had so many
wonderful events happen, but we also had more than our share of sad times. We
laughed a lot about different situations that happened and she was there to
support me in times of sadness. I rarely
closed my office door, but once in awhile, I needed a few minutes to
myself. One of the most memorable times
that meant more to me than anything was
a little over 16 years ago. Our
wonderful teacher, Ellen Widmer, was not doing well and was no longer
working. Barb came in to tell me that
Ellen was on the phone to talk to me. I
took the call and then shut my door so I could fall apart for a few
minutes. Ellen had called and asked me
if I would do her eulogy at her funeral as she knew she didn’t have much longer
on this earth. Barb always respected me
but that day she came into the office because she knew that call was probably
something very difficult for me. I told
her what had happened and she hugged me and we talked and cried for a
time. Never did I think that I would be
standing up here in front of you doing the same thing for Barb 16 years later
almost to the day.
Barb meant so much to so many people through the years
because of the way she treated them. I
have received so many messages this week from different people who knew her who
spoke of her warmth and kindness, her smile and hugs.
I asked a few students if they would share some things about
Barb because she was all about our kids.
Here is what I received from three students.
From Avery O’Shea
Miss Barb was a great office helper. She
was funny, full of energy and worked happily. I loved working on Brain
Food with her.
From Brian Jones
Every day Miss Barb greeted me with a Good
Morning, Brian. I worked with her as an office helper and on Tiger
T.V. I felt important to her but I know she liked everybody.
From Elizabeth Romero
Miss Barb was fun to work with as an office
helper. She knew my name and smiled. She was very
responsible. I don't have specific memories just all good memories.
She will be missed.
And from Adrianna Cooper
Mrs. Barb was special to me because she always
made my day no matter what I was feeling. The thing that I remember about her
is that she always had a smile on her face and said have a great day!
These students sum up how so many of us feel about
Barb and what a difference she made to so many of us on a daily basis. What a legacy she has left when so many
students loved her so much!
My favorite book of all time is The Last Dance by
Carmen Agra Deedy. In the story that
grandfather tells his grandchildren that every human being has the right to
three things:
“To Dance. The great things in life is not so
much to dance well, but whether one is willing to dance at all.”
To Sing. Even if you sing off-key. The crow has as much right to a voice as the
nightingale. (And we all know this is
very true about Barb after many karaoke night staff parties at Shenanigans.)
To Tell Stories.
Those we love are never really gone as long as their stories are told.
Barb’s stories will live on in the many lives
that she has touched through the years. They will live on in the love she had
for Steve. They will live on in her three children,
Sean, Kelly and Ryan, their families, and in her beloved grandchildren. Barb’s stories include kindness, acceptance,
love, and laughter and that is what we need more of in this world.
The great philosopher, Winnie the Pooh, once
said, “How lucky am I to have something that makes saying good-bye so
hard.” I concur with Winnie the Pooh.
How lucky are we all that we have had Barb
in our lives that makes saying good-bye so hard. Our lives are better because of our dear friend,
Barb. She will be greatly missed by so
many!
So God Speed to you, our dear friend, Barb. Until we meet again, your stories will always
be with us! Thank you for being who you
were and for truly making a difference in so many lives, especially mine!
-->
