Barbara Florence Webster

Barbara Florence (Catterfeld) Webster, 74 of Traverse City passed away suddenly on Monday, June 10, 2024 at her home with her loving family and friends by her side. Barb was born on March 17, 1950 in Saginaw, Michigan to the late Herbert and Valdina (Kaus) Catterfeld. She moved to Troy in 1955 and attended her most beloved St. John’s Lutheran school for her elementary years, where she developed her foundation in the Lutheran faith. Her high school years were spent at Avondale High School where she received her diploma in 1968. She was a proud Spartan, attaining a Bachelor of Art degree (BA) in education from Michigan State University in 1972. While there, Barb attended a German class in Wells Hall where she met the love of her life, Daniel MacRae Webster in 1969. The two dated, fell in love, and were eventually married in Rochester, Michigan back at St. John’s Lutheran Church, on August 19, 1972 (coincidentally or not, also Dan’s birthday). Dan fondly recalls being late to the wedding…a mistake he vowed never to repeat and has subsequently never missed an anniversary! After their marriage, Barb supported the couple through Dan’s medical schooling, which moved them to Dan’s home state of Illinois for their four years at Northwestern University in Chicago. After graduation, they completed a family medicine residency in Grand Rapids, Michigan. During this time, they were blessed with two wonderful daughters, Kimberly and Lisa. Together the foursome moved to "Her" Traverse City in 1979 where Dan established deep roots in the medical community, a life-long passion which ultimately influenced Kimberly’s chosen vocation (nursing). Barb's passion in life was education. She evidenced this through teaching one on one with individual students. For many years she tutored privately in her home, specializing in the needs of dyslexic students, and helping them to learn differently through use of the Orton Gillingham method. Her grandson Finn will forever say his L’s correctly because of her mentoring! This also inspired her daughter Lisa to become a Special Education teacher. Additionally, Barb was the devoted Director of Kids Hope for Faith Reformed Church for 11 years, where she led over 37 volunteers, who guided and supported children, one on one, through weekly meetings at Central Grade School. In her spare time, Barb was a Master Gardener, and spent many hours devoted to beautifying her surroundings and embracing her love of nature. She often shared that she spoke to God while she was in her happy place. She also enjoyed playing cards or golfing with her group of ladies (“The Card Sharks”) every Thursday. She was always a lover of art, especially its history, and that passion inspired her voracious appetite for travel, always accompanied by Dan. They also shared many adventures with their special friends (Dennis & Mary Chappel) for over 28 years, making wonderful memories around the globe. Barb was an amazing baker and cook, known especially for her chocolate chip cookies, brownies, fudge, Christmas toffee, and cookies, and various types of bread, including "Barb's Buns" (or “Grandma Bread”) which was a family favorite. This was often accompanied by “Grandma Cheese” (sharp cheddar of the big block variety) to make a toasty comforting delight known as cheesy bread. Barb was an outstanding wife, mother, and grandmother. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. She is survived by Dan, her beloved husband of 51 and 3/4's wonderful years, as well as their daughters Kimberly (Michael Griffith) Webster of Traverse City and Lisa (Dan) Byrnes of Evanston, Illinois. She will be fondly remembered by grandchildren Nora & Colin (15), Quinn (13), and Evelyn (10) Byrnes, as well as Finnegan Griffith-Webster (5) and also her siblings, Virginia “Ginger” (Monty) Williams, Judith “Judy” (Gregg) Blaszak, Greg Catterfeld, her sister-in-law Nancy (Michael) Andrews, and her brother-in-law David (Cynthia “Cindy”) Webster along with many other nieces and nephews, extended family members, and treasured friends. A Celebration of Life will be held in Barb’s Secret Garden, Sunday July 7th, 2024 at 3:00pm. Colorful attire requested please! The family is being supported through this time by Pastor James Palmer of Creekside Community Church. Due to her preference for cultivating living plants, in lieu of flowers we request memorial contributions in her honor be directed to Elmwood Township Fire & Rescue. Please share your kind thoughts and warm memories of Barb with her family at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.