Oct 16, 2013 - Email from Nancy Gilliland plus photos

From: Nancy Gilliland <nancypiano@comcast.net>
Date: Wed, Oct 16, 2013 at 2:55 PM
Subject: Barbara Ann
To: Dorothy Bender <dbender@gmail.com>
Cc: Audrey McLaughlin <amclaughlin3@me.com>


Hi Dorothy,
We were in Lone Pine when I got Audrey's message on Saturday about Barbara Ann's passing.  On the drive down there, we were listening to some Sagebrush Swing and two versions of a song that Barbara Ann turned me on to:  "Blue Again" by lyricist Dorothy Fields.  That was Wednesday and I had such a strong, palpable feeling of connection to her that I got choked up and said to John that I would go for another visit when we got home.  Maybe that feeling was her saying goodbye to me…I don't know.  But the reality is that our little songbird has left us and we have to enjoy all our memories of the times we had together.  That is the comfort, but oh…what a deep void.  She was one of a kind and my life was enhanced by having her in it.  It was truly a blessing that our paths crossed in this life time.

Dorothy and Audrey, it was a very fun day we all spent with Barbara Ann making music.  The memory of the joy that Barbara Ann and all of us shared will stay with me a long, long time.  You both were angels through this whole journey.  Thank you for setting up the blog that kept us all up to date with Barbara Ann.

Sending you both big hugs,
Nancy

Oct 10, 2013 - Barbara Ann Barnett - November 28, 1942 - October 10, 2013 RIP

We learned this evening that our wondrous Barbara "Barbie" Ann Barnett passed away, October 10, 2013 at 6:45pm, at the Soquel Leisure Villa. 

Please add a comment below if you'd like express your sympathy to the family. (If you need help adding a comment, please send it to dbender@gmail.com and it will be added.)

As we learn more details, we will let you know.

We are very sorry to lose our beautiful, talented musician and good friend to so many of us. She taught me a lot these past six months; I will always be grateful to her.

Bye, bye, dear Barbara Ann. May you RIP.

Dorothy

Barbara Ann, June, 2001

Oct 8, 2013 - Email from Merv Graham

From: Merv Graham <merv@funkyfiddler.org>
Date: Tue, Oct 8, 2013 at 12:39 PM
Subject: Barbara Ann
To: Dorothy Bender <dbender@gmail.com>


Dorothy,

I too have tried unsuccessfully to contact Barbara Ann recently, both by phone and e-mail.  I'm aware that she was having difficulty using the phone and, I presume, e-mail processing is now beyond her abilities.
Since you seem to have the most contact with her, will you please tell her the next time you see her that I think of her each and every day, and hope for the very best for her considering the fate that has befallen her.

Thank you,   Merv Graham

--
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| \/ |  /__) | \ \  /  __ _~\<,_
|    | (__   |    \/ ____(_)/_(_)_

Oct 7, 2013 - Email from Bob Wagner to Barbara Ann

From: rlwagar@aol.com
To: Dorothy Bender<dbender@gmail.com>
Date: Mon., Oct 7, 2013 at 2:23 AM


Aloha Dorothy,
I have been trying to send the email below to Barbara Ann without success; it finally dawned on me that perhaps you could pass it on. Many thanks I appreciate it. I will also send a couple of You Tube links to you showing some whale encounters which you show Barbara Ann if appropriate. Sending positive thoughts to you all from Germany. 


-----Original Message-----
From: rlwagar <rlwagar@aol.com>
To: babaccordn <babaccordn@earthlink.net>
Sent: Wed, Oct 2, 2013 9:05 am

Aloha Barbara Ann,
I will use Barbara Ann with respect since that is what you choose to be called now, however, when I see your twinkling eyes in recent videos, I remember the Barbie Jensen that I knew at SDSC, who then became Barbara Barnett when I saw her at Stanford. Good memories all.
I evolved into Robert over the years (and even answer now to Lopaka in Hawaiian.)
I met my future wife in 1991, an educator who taught me, one lives to work and not the other way around, so I retired early--in 1997--at the age of 53, ended up on Maui in 1999, got heavily involved in the Hawaiian language (including chanting) and culture (including dancing the traditional kahiko hula.)
Spend half the time on Maui, the other half in Europe visiting my wife's relatives. While on Maui, am out daily paddling my one-man outrigger canoe, especially fun during the whale season. I'll send you a couple of video clips via You Tube, showing up close and personal encounters with whales. Hope you enjoy!
I think of you often, always with a smile on my face.
Take care my friend, I am sure we will meet each other somewhere, sometime.
Hugs,
Bob

Oct 4, 2013: Gayle Curtis sends Paris Skies

Gayle sends Paris Skies

 

From: Gayle Curtis <gayle.curtis@mac.com> Date: Sat, Oct 4, 2013 at 2:10 PM Subject: Gayle sends Paris Skies To: babaccordn@earthlink.net, Dorothy Bender <dbender@gmail.com>

Hi BarbaraAnn,

We're in Paris a few weeks ago and crossing the bridge to the Ile St. Louis, from the Notre Dame cathedral, we passed a man playing accordion, for tips, in the center of the bridge. 

On the way back, the rain had stopped, and I shot a video, after dropping a few Euros in his cap. Of course he plays "Paris Skies", and I thought of you, and Homer Lane. 

I've posted the video on YouTube <http://youtu.be/FOeBYED3BK8 >and I hope you will enjoy seeing -- and hearing it.

Much love to you,

Gayle

 

=============================================

 

Oct 4, 2013 - Ginny Anderson visit

 On Fri Oct 4, 2013, at 5:49 PM, virginia anderson <freyjand@comcast.net> wrote:

Barbara Ann and I had a wonderful visit - she stayed in bed; I sang a bit, and she chimed in a bit - and we marveled at the wonder of how life unfolds.  We took a great word journey together, with topics and words folding over one another - Imdra's net wrapping around us,  traveling on the verbal filaments, and cozy in our appreciation of one another.

A wonder of surrender, a celebration of living....

Thank you both for holding the frame of this picture -
Ginny


On Fri, Oct 4, 2013 at 6:03 PM, Audrey McLaughlin <amclaughlin3@me.com> wrote:

    I can't tell you what a beautiful picture I have in my mind, thank you so much for the email.  I have not been able to connect with her form more than two weeks and am missing her more than I can say.  Your words mean so much to me.
    Audrey


On Sat Oct 5, 2013, at 1:39 AM, Dorothy Bender wrote:

> Dear Ginny,
>
> I can just see the two of you having such a good time. When Barbara Ann first called me to talk about her condition and we reviewed the list of people she wanted to see, your name emerged as the very highest. I'm so glad you've been able to visit and share your optimistic practice with her. I know it is a wonderful gift you have given to her -- and you always have.
>
> I did not know about indra, but now I do. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indra%27s_net
>
> Thanks again and hope to see you soon,
>
> Dorothy

Sep 24, 2013 - Audrey McLaughlin - How I Met Barbara Ann Or The Start of Sagebrush Swing

Somewhere around 1997 I was traveling in the Western Music festival circuit as part of a female trio called Daughters of the Purple Sage.  During this same time Barbara Ann was playing accordion with a Western group called Lone Prairie.  Our paths crossed at a festival or two and I was an instant fan of both the band and her accordion playing.  One late night in Tucson Arizona at the Western Music Association festival we ended up together in the most amazing all female western swing jam session.  The rest as they say is history.  From that night on we began sharing our love of western swing (among other types of music) and quickly bonded to one another.  Soon after, Barbara Ann and a great fiddler, Rodeo Kate, joined the Daughters of the Purple Sage and we traveled as a five piece all female traditional western group for about a year.

In 1999 I made the decision to move to the bay area and join forces with Barbara Ann in a western swing duo known as Sagebrush Swing.  For three years we spent nearly all of our spare time together learning new tunes, honing our harmony singing and creating original arrangements of some of the best western and western swing music around.  We played local gigs at places like the Menlo Park Farmer's Market, a few local restaurants and the Boaz Accordion shop.  We also travelled to western and bluegrass festivals in California, Arizona and Canada.  We shared lots of great music, many hours of hard work, laughter and our share of tears.

These years were pivotal for me as a musician and as a human being.  I learned so much from Barbara Ann, not all of it easy, but all of it so important.  For those years I will be forever thankful.  I am thankful not only for the great times we shared but also for the ways in which we struggled in or working relationship and friendship.  This was perhaps the greatest lesson of all for me.  It is possible to work through the tough times and strengthen the bonds you share if you are willing.  Willing to stay grounded in what is honest and real.  Willing to listen and share even when it is painful and humbling.  Willing to laugh especially at yourself.  Willing to let the love of a good friend conquer all.

In these final months with Barbara Ann we have had the opportunity to talk about all of the times we shared together.  We have faithfully shared our love and respect for one another and honestly shared what we learned together in this journey we call friendship.  What an honor to share these final experiences with her.  Her open and honest approach to dying has been nothing short of inspiring.  I have been blessed to know her and will always cherish the time we spent together.

Barbara Ann and Audrey, June, 2001

Sep 23, 2013 - Dennis Compagna visit

My visit with Barbara Ann at Soquel Leisure Villa on 9/23/13:  Barbara visited with musician and good friend, Dennis Compagna.  Also featured is staff member, Haydee, who tried to engage Barbara Ann in a community game of BINGO.  To her credit, BAB insisted she never learned how to play BINGO.  That was her story and she was sticking to it!