Barbara “Bobbie” Lively, age 70, of Lynden, peacefully passed away at her home, surrounded by her loving family, on Thursday, May 17, 2018, after an almost two-year battle with cancer.
She was born in Bellingham to John “Budd” and Arlene (De Haan) Haveman and grew up in north Whatcom County, attending Nooksack Valley schools and graduating from Meridian High School. She also graduated from the office administration program at Bellingham Technical College. She began her career at SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, and worked her way up to be the executive director in administrative services, where she was able to travel the world. Bobbie loved her job and after more than 30 years at it, she retired in February 2016.
Bobbie was a horse 4-H leader and a member of Faith Reformed Church in her earlier years and more recently she returned to Nooksack Valley Reformed Church. She enjoyed spending time with her kids and grandkids, reading and traveling. Bobbie was known for being kind, strong, loyal and very dedicated to her family and career.
Bobbie was preceded in death by her parents, John “Budd” and Arlene Haveman; brother Darrell Haveman; and grandparents Fred and Anna DeHaan and John and Elsie Haveman.
She is survived by her children, Kirk (Shelby) Weidkamp and Jodi (Sean) Tucker; brother Brian (Jodie) Haveman; sister Leah Boerner; grandchildren Amanda (Briar) Young, Justin Tucker, Koert, Keldon and Emmerson Weidkamp; as well as several nieces, nephews, cousins and a few aunts and uncles.
You are invited to join family and friends for a memorial service at 11 a.m. Friday, May 25, in Nooksack Valley Reformed Church, 602 E. Second St., Nooksack. Private family burial precedes at 10 a.m. in Monumenta Cemetery of Lynden. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Bobbie’s name may be sent to Whatcom Hospice, Bellingham Cancer Center, or Ovarian Cancer Research.
You are invited to share your memories and condolences in the online guestbook at www.gilliesfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services.
