Cowlitz-Island-King County WA Archives Obituaries.....Pederson, Barbara Ann (Ritchie)  January 2006
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
P. J. Stepp steppmom5@hotmail.com June 14, 2006, 9:46 pm

Published in The Daily News on 1/26/2006.   www.tdn.com/obits
 	 	
Barbara Ann (Ritchie) Pederson   

Barbara Ann (Ritchie) Pederson was born on July 5, 1937 in Bellingham, 
Washington, to Wilfred and Anne (Matthews) Ritchie. She was raised in Northwest 
Washington, including many years on Waldron Island in the San Juan Islands. The 
family later moved to Bellingham where she graduated from Bellingham High 
School in 1954. While attending the University of Washington School of Nursing, 
she met and married her husband Harlan 'Pete' Pederson in 1958. She graduated 
from the University of Washington with a Bachelors of Science degree in 
nursing, and received her Nursing diploma from Virginia Mason Hospital in 
Seattle. Pete and Barbara had two sons, Ritchie and Brian, and the family moved 
to the Longview area in 1961 and after several years made their home on 
Pleasant Hill Road in 1972. Barbara worked for 30 years as a Registered Nurse 
in a variety of settings. She was active in the Washington State Nurses 
Association since 1963, where she served as State Treasurer, (1979-1983), and 
on the State Board of Directors, (1983-1987), she was also a former President 
of the Lower Columbia Nurses Association, (1975-1979). But Barbara was best 
remembered for the 10 years she spent as the supervisor of the surgical floor 
at Monticello Medical Center, (1968-1978), and the 10 years she spent in the 
long term care industry as a Director of Nursing Services, Administrator and 
consultant, where she worked hard to raise the standards of nursing and to 
improve the quality of patient care. She helped write language for legislators 
on Registered Nurses and Nurses Aid laws; she traveled to Philadelphia, where 
she helped write questions for the Nurses Aid National Exams, and for her 
dedicated work, she was awarded the Washington State Nurses Association 'Search 
for Excellence Award' in 1990. In that same year, she retired from professional 
nursing, but never retired from nursing issues or patient care. Barbara was a 
very active member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Kelso where she became a 
member of the congregation in 1972, she taught Bible studies and served on the 
church council and many church committees. Barbara enjoyed traveling and took 
many trips across the country and overseas. Her most notable trip was one taken 
at the height of the Cold War, when she traveled to the former Soviet Union. 
She loved the beach, reading, crossword puzzles, and spending time with her 
family, especially her grandchildren. In 1998, after 39 years of marriage, Pete 
passed away, and in 2001, Barbara moved into the Delaware Plaza assisted living 
facility where she lived until January 19, 2006 when she passed away at 
Hospice. Barbara is survived by her two sons, Ritchie (Gloria) Pederson of 
Kelso, and Brian (Leah) Pederson of Rudyard Montana. Five grandchildren, Garth, 
Anna and Marty Pederson, Tina and Lisa Lessard, and two great-grandchildren 
Austin Smith and Morgan Harris. Two brothers, Dennis (Norma) Ritchie, of 
Vavenby British Columbia and Gary (Melanie) Ritchie, of Nanimo British 
Columbia, several nieces, nephews and cousins. A memorial service of 
remembering Barbara before Christ will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, January 
28, 2006 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Castle Rock, Washington. Prior to the 
start of the memorial service, in recognition of her lifelong dedication and 
commitment to nursing, a 'Nightingale Tribute' will be read by Barbara's 
classmate, colleague, and close friend Mary Lynne Short. All nurses in 
attendance will be invited to participate. Memorial contributions may be made 
in Barbara's name to Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 402 Crawford, Kelso, WA 98626 
or to the St John's Dialysis Center in Longview. 

Please sign the guest book at www.tdn.com/obits 

	


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