Barbara May Pifer-Bach
December 09, 1927 - April 22, 2016
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Barbara May Pifer-Bach
December 09, 1927 - April 22, 2016
Obituary
Barbara May Pifer-Bach was born in Detroit, Michigan on December 9th, 1927, and was raised by her beloved parents, Roy & Irene Pifer, of Livonia Michigan. Barbara passed away peacefully in her home on April 22nd, 2016, in Kirkland, Washington at the age of 88.
As a young woman living in Detroit, Barbara met an aspiring artist, Robert James Bach, they fell madly in love and married in 1947. They built a home in Farmington, Michigan and raised three children together. Then, adventurous as they were, they immigrated to New Zealand to work, explore, and create in this far-off land. Returning to the states, they moved north to Glen Lake, Michigan and built a lovely home and studio on the lake. In 1980 they moved to Seattle, Washington to stay close to their children and their grandchildren to come.
After living and working in Seattle for 16 years, they relocated to the Bellingham area to retire and enjoy their golden years. They often combined travel with art, painting oils and watercolors throughout the Pacific Northwest and in France. The love of her life for over 60 years, Barbara’s husband Robert passed away in 2007. Barbara remained in Bellingham, living independently, until April of 2015, when her family helped her move to Kirkland, Washington to live out her last days.
Barbara was a talented artist. As a young woman, she enjoyed drawing, painting and making pottery. After moving to the Traverse City area in 1973, she opened her own pottery shop, Hummingbird Pottery, and over the years entered many shows and exhibits, displaying her works of art in galleries too numerous to mention. She was most well known for her bronze sculptures of later years. Working in her studio brought her many hours of fulfillment and joy.
Barbara is preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and by her brother, Russell Pifer. She is survived by her daughter Diane Bach; her son James Bach; her son Thomas Bach; her brother Richard Pifer; along with many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She will also be very much missed by her dear friends Myra Zylstra, Ruth Rycroft, Beverley Rodriguez, Zeny Kreyer, and her niece Debbie Wright, who all meant so very much to her.
Everyone knew Barbara as a happy, kind-hearted and talented individual. She will be missed more than words can fully express.
An open-house celebration of life reception will be held on Saturday, June 4th from 1pm to 4pm at Moles Farewell Tributes, on Lakeway Drive in Bellingham.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to The National Resources Defense Council, Whatcom Hospice, Planned Parenthood, or a local charity of your choice.
Celebration Of Life
- Date & Time: January 1, 1970 (12:00 AM)
- Venue: Moles Farewell Tributes- Bellingham
- Location: 2465 Lakeway Dr Bellingham, WA 98229 - (Get Directions)
- Phone Number: (360) -73-3-0510
10 responses to Barbara May Pifer-Bach
Mike and Rose Marie McMillan says:
April 22, 2016
Hi Diane and family, please accept Mike’s and my heart felt condolences for the passing of your mother and family member. We know that she is in a better place. Barbara May Pifer-Bach’s spirit will always be with you. You will always have those fond memories to hold dear. With heart felt sympathy, Mike and Rose Marie McMillan.
Janice Sidwell and Todd Bennett says:
April 22, 2016
Dear Diane and family, We pray comfort and peace for you in the loss of your dear mother, who you cared for so lovingly.
Her well-written obituary was a real tribute to her, and her legacy will live on through her cherished children and family. May time and the thoughtfulness of others Who care about you,bring healing to your heart.
With sympathy,
Todd and Janice
Bennett. Sidwell
Garth and Jeanette Satterthwaite says:
April 22, 2016
Farewell Barb. We all loved you. Barb was a gentle, intelligent lady and a very creative artist. Barb and Bob were a wonderful couple, so kind and generous, full of fun, great conversationists and inspiring artists. When Barb and Bob came to New Zealand they were like a breathe of fresh air. They were a big influence on our lives and bought with them a touch of a wonderful era in America.They loved New Zealand and we loved having them here in Wellington. Barb’s superb salt glazed platter with the blue bird in the centre and the clever forum of 12 little Rabbits “Conformity Vs Individuality” Barbara Pifer-Bach are still highly cherished by both of us and remind us of fond memories.
For many years our family enjoyed receiving Barb’s special handmade Christmas Cards, family photos and news, so we never lost touch. Garth has always admired the print of Bob’s of prize wining Salmon stamp which hangs in his studio. Garth worked with Bob in advertising and he was a brilliant artist and teacher.
In 1982 we had the pleasure of seeing Bob and Barb when we called in to Seattle for the Coloured Pencil Convention and again later when we enjoyed their hospitality at their home in Bellingham. Bob and Barb will always remain in our hearts and we are so privileged to have known them
Thank you Tom for phoning us in NZ. Our condolences to you, Jim, Diane and all your families on the loss of a much loved Barbara Pifer-Bach
Garth and Jeanette Satterthwaite
Wellington New Zealand.
Debbie Wright says:
April 22, 2016
♥ this picture of my dear, sweet, Auntie Barbara, which my Dad, Russell E. Pifer, always called Babs! :)Today we celebrate Barbara Pifer!! SHE WAS AN AMAZING LADY!!
What a beautiful obituary of a extremely talented, beautiful lady with an infectious laugh, such a selfless,caring,wonderful,daughter,wife,Mom,grandmother,aunt etc to so many of us, and we are all a better person for knowing Auntie Bab’s. I miss her dearly, just as much as I miss my own parents, and I learned when I lost my Dad at a moments notice, life is precious, enjoy it to the fullest, and live for the moment, with no regrets. xoxo
She was so near and dear to my heart, for so many years, and was often the person I called to talk to after losing my Mom, Maxine Boyle Pifer to cancer in 2007. Auntie Bab’s was like a sister to my mom, and we both missed my parents so much, her long talks and chats really helped me though the grieving process while still grieving the loss of Uncle Bob just a few weeks, before losing my mom.
Life is so short and precious we sometime forget that in the daily busy life. Heaven certainly gained another angel, because Auntie Bab’s was truly one of a kind.
Auntie Bab’s was like a walking medical book, she knew everything about every part of the body, and certainly raised three wonderful, amazingly talented and caring children that she was very proud of all three and mentioned it a lot to me. I love all my memories as a child, especially going to their house in Michigan on the water, for weekends and summer time sleepovers.
Auntie Bab’s touched so many lives with her presence and made mine wonderful too. She was the best sister to my dad, Russell, E. Pifer, back in the day, and they always had an extremely close relationship as brother and sister. I will remember every thing about this wonderful family as they are a part of my roots and my childhood memories.
Love and miss our Auntie Babs,when she died a piece of our heart died with her. Auntie Bab’s thought the world of her three children, Diane, Tom and Jim. She was a very lucky lady to have such caring, kind hearted children, in Tom and Diane to be her caregivers daily and let her remain in her own home, enjoying life to the fullest. It is a very rewarding but extremely hard and also painful job, I did it for my Mom, and now it is the one memory I cherish and am proud of what I did for her……………What a wonderful life,Auntie Bab’ lead for 88 awesome years. She was so healthy and ate so well and knew so much, I really thought she would live forever…She will FOREVER live in my heart. xoxo R.I.P. Barbara Pifer Bach..
I cherish my extremely close relationship with darling Diane and Tom, and I will be thinking of both of you daily as you grieve the loss of your mom but celebrate her life. She will be missed!!!!!!!!! :) xoxo
WE MISS AND LOVE YOU, Auntie Bab’s, but know your laughing with Uncle Bob! Vester and Debbie Wright :) #Amazingbronzesculptor #imissherlaughalready #lifeistooshorttobeanythingbuthappy #lovemyroots #lovemyauntiebabsandunclebob
#myfavoriteauntandsistertomydeardadruss
Gerry (Geraldine Williams) London Vandlen says:
April 22, 2016
I send my condolences on the passing of your mother. Barbara came to Michigan on occasion and I believe visited my parents, Goldie & Bill Williams, but I hadn’t seen her since childhood. However, since I produced the Pifer Schlosser Ancestry, I was in touch with her for family information; and we struck up a correspondence acquaintance over the years. And the same with her brother Russell, here in Michigan. I had hoped she could get to Grand Rapids, Michigan, for the ArtPrize event each year, but travel by then was probably too difficult.
I shall share your email with my cousins who would have known her through her Aunt Blanche (Pifer) Shover.
Hold on to your memories and let them guide you during this time of sadness.
In sympathy,
Gerry (Geraldine Williams) London Vandlen