Bobbe Neil's Obituary
Barbara Jean (Swanson) Neil "Bobbe" February 2, 1927 - August 13, 2018 Bobbe was born to Nate and Louisa Swanson in Everett, WA on February 2, 1927. They moved to Tacoma in 1940. She attended Mason Jr. High School and Stadium High School and graduated in 1945. She made life-long friends at Stadium and was a member of the high school sorority, Zeta Chi. Bobbe and her husband Lloyd were married in Tacoma in 1947, then moved to University Place in 1961. She was an active mom and homemaker. She loved babies, little kids, and especially teenagers. We always said she was a 'teenager at heart.' She taught her kids and their friends how to drive, cook, and sew. She always encouraged everyone to treat each other fairly, love one another, and to do good things in the world. She was the mom every kid could talk to and share their soul. She was 'Bubba' to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and every one of them adored her. She was the grandma who loved to pick kids up after school, take them to appointments, out for a treat, or shopping for a new outfit or toy. She was a prolific artist who could draw and paint. Her other hobby was collecting flowers to dry and make into arrangements. Her "flower room" was literally floor to ceiling, and we had to chuckle every time she made Lloyd stop on a road trip to let her pick flowers. For the last three years she lived at Harbor Place Assisted Living in Gig Harbor. She enjoyed the love of a dear group of devoted friends who played cards and games every day. She made sure every resident felt welcomed and loved. She had the gift of gab, laughter, and a gentleness of spirit which was usually accompanied with a kiss on the forehead. Our family would like to heartily thank the staff at Harbor Place for their undying love, support, and care of our mom. We could not have asked for more. She passed peacefully with family by her side on 8/13/18. Bobbe was preceded in death by her husband Lloyd Neil in 2007. She was also preceded by her parents, her brother Rod Swanson, her granddaughter Susanne Neil Scaringi, and infant grandson Ryan Neil. She is survived by her devoted family members: daughter Pam Neil Rhodes (Ken), her son Mike Neil (Sue), and daughter Melissa Rodriguez (Thomas); grandchildren James Neil (Heather), Katy Erickson (Ryan), Jeffry Rhodes (Meagan), Jessica Crumpton, and Lily Rodriguez; and great-grandchildren Grace and Hudson Neil, Ava, Ila, and Eda Erickson, and Roslyn and Russell Rhodes. A memorial service will be held at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 7410 S. 12th, on Sept. 6th at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Washington State Patrol-Chaplaincy Foundation, 2 Raft Island Dr., Gig Harbor, WA 98335.
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