Obituary

Barbara Leota Ivie (Tennant) was raised on the Well’s homestead on Academy St. above Lake Whatcom. Her Grandfather Hamilton C. Wells was an early Whatcom Pioneer who helped clear the land for the town of Whatcom as it was known before becoming Bellingham. She would walk from there to catch the trolley and make her way to Bellingham Normal School which at times was a challenge in winter. She learned at a young age the necessity to work hard and become self-sufficient. Throughout her life, there was always a vegetable garden, cows, chickens, pigs, and fruit trees. The cellar was always full of canned items.

Barbara was always a caring person, befriending a young girl who lived close by whose family was struggling, she would give her food when she could and her gloves to keep her hands warm in the winter.
Barbara moved to Omak and while working at a department store, she met her future husband Cliff whom she married in 1948, they were married for 49 years.

Barbara and Cliff moved back to Bellingham to care for her parents. They owned and operated the Downtowner Restaurant on Holly St. until 1969 when they moved from their home on Kelly Rd. and purchased a small Raspberry Farm on Nooksack Rd. (HWY 9). They attended Good News Fellowship for many years. She worked for her family, cooking great meals, caring for their needs, and one of the best pie makers there was.

Barbara is preceded in death by her parents, John Peter Tennant, and Mary Eliza “Mamie” Wells; husband, Ernest Clifford Ivie; half-sisters and brother: Ruberta M. Ross, Pearl E. Bradley, Laura G. Eldering, Mabel Lambert, and Charles Wood.

She is survived by sons: Stephen Ivie of Greeley, CO; John Ivie (Danette) of Ferndale, WA; grandchildren: Jennifer Kiel (Tim) of Niceville, FL; Elise Vicente (Nick) of Flagstaff, AZ; Christopher Ivie of Flagstaff, AZ; five great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews

A Graveside Memorial will be held on Saturday, August 6 at 10:30 a.m. at Greenacres Memorial Park in Ferndale. Reception to follow.