Barbara Ann (Barbie) Brown McGriff was born a cobbler's daughter February 25, 1933. She grew up in Urbana, Illinois, helping at her dad's large shoe repair shop. She passed away March 6, 2015 at Sequim Health and Rehabilitation in Sequim, Washington.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, March 16, 2015 at Eastlawn Burial Park, Urbana, among the Brown family plots.

She majored in music at the University of Illinois. Barbie later gave up music to concentrate on her passion for oil painting. A talented artist, she sold a few paintings, but painted mostly for enjoyment and for family and friends.

In the mid 1950's she met and married James Fling in Urbana. He was stationed at nearby Chanute Air Force Base. They eventually ended up in Beaverton, Oregon and had three sons, David, Daniel and Darryl. Barbie worked for the Oregon Regional Primate Center in Beaverton for five years.

In 1968 she married Mark McGriff and moved to the Queen Anne area of Seattle, where the three boys graduated from high school. Barbie and Mark then moved to Woodinville, Washington where they lived for many years on Lake Leota. Barbie was always active in church until her health failed but she remained a soul winner for her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, until the end.

She was a great assistance to Mark in supervising the employees in his transit claims business. They retired to Sequim two years ago and were married for forty-seven years. Barbie was preceded in death by her parents, Grant and Rilla Mae Brown; sister, Joslyn Brown; and brother, Vernon Brown. She is survived by her husband, Mark McGriff; sister, Marilyn Fairfield; sons, David, Daniel and Darryl (Robin) Fling: grandsons, Taylor, Evan and Blake Fling; step granddaughter, Misty Marie Jensen; and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service was held at 2:00 PM Friday, March 13th at Sequim Worship Center Church.

Condolences may be offered at renner-wikoffchapel.com.