Barbara Phelps of Lopez Island, Wash., passed away Aug. 30, 2010 at home surrounded by family.

She was 86.

She was born Barbara Jean Plummer on Feb. 20, 1924 in Fort Collins, Colo., the daughter of Cecil and Velda Plummer. She was the oldest of three siblings.

The family moved several times during the Depression, finally settling in Salt Lake City where she graduated from East High School. She met and married William Robert (Bob) Phelps at the Bethel Baptist Church.

Mr. Phelps worked for the Union Pacific Railroad in Tooele, Utah as well as being stationed in Mississippi, where he was then deployed to Italy during World War II.

The couple settled in Payson, Utah, where Mr. Phelps was a U.P. station agent for 25 years. The family lived in the railroad station itself, which housed the living quarters, public waiting room, agent’s office and freight warehouse.

Barbara served in a variety of civic, school, and church organizations while raising her family. Her love of the mountains and outdoors came from her many summers spent with her grandparents in a log house on the Poudre River in Colorado.

She is survived by her son, Kerby Phelps, and daughter, Cynthia Gugich, both of Lopez Island; grandchildren, Chul Gugich of New York City, Brisco Gugich and wife, Kassandra; and great-grandson, Adrik, of Bellingham, Wash.; brother, Bill Plummer and wife, Ilene, of Spokane, Wash.; and sister, Beverly Cozza of Salt Lake City, Utah.

Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, Bob.

A memorial service is scheduled for Sept. 4, 2010 in Lopez Island Community Church. Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Inc., Anacortes and the San Juan Islands.

To share memories of Barbara, please sign the online guest register at www.evanschapel.com.

— Family of Barbara Jean Phelps