Delsa T. Barber

- Delsa Barber, our cherished mother and grandmother passed away Thursday, September 5, 2013 in her home in Syracuse, at the age of 87.

She was born April 8, 1926 in Syracuse Utah, a daughter of Joseph S. Thurgood and Neva Harris. Delsa will be remembered as a devoted wife, a loving mother, a doting grandmother, a cherished great-grandmother, a caring sister, a favorite aunt, and a dear friend.

The oldest of two children Delsa grew up Syracuse. She attended Davis County Schools and she graduated from Davis High School in 1944. On August 13, 1946 she married Rex C. Barber in the Salt Lake City Temple.

Her working life began on the family farm and off the farm as a cherry picker. She worked at the Naval Supply Depot in Clearfield during the summer while attending high school and continued after graduation. Later she worked for Del Monte foods and Westinghouse Corporation. Delsa''s most notable job included working as a freelance reporter and photographer for the Ogden Standard Examiner.

Delsa and her husband Rex were iconic residents of Syracuse city. As Rex served as mayor of Syracuse, Delsa was a charter member of the Syracuse Lady Lions, an organization that recently celebrated its 50th anniversary. She was a strong advocate for this great civic organization. Delsa was a member of the Syracuse 3rd Ward and served as primary teacher and Sunday school teacher. She was an active member of the Syracuse community and served dutifully in a number of capacities over the last 50 years. In her younger days Delsa was an avid and accomplished bowler and participated in a number of bowling leagues with Rex and other couples and her many friends. The trophy case at her home is overflowing with awards and achievements as a bowler.

Her primary love in life was her family, her husband, her two sons, five grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and many others who called her Grandma Delsa or "Grandma D". She offered a soft landing place where anyone could get a warm meal, a listening ear, and some words of reassurance and advice. Delsa spent countless hours with her grandchildren nurturing them, loving them, and taking them on special outings. All the grandkids looked forward to the wonderful gifts received from her and Rex on birthdays and Christmas. Special memories remain of time together at the family condo at Bear Lake. Delsa found a new love later in life, the Utah Jazz. She knew all the players, the stats, and she wouldn''t miss a game. She even had her picture taken with several of the players.

One of her and Rex''s great gifts to the family was the building of the family Cabin in Star Valley Wyoming. Her Eightieth Birthday party was held at the cabin and was a monumental event. The cabin will always be used and treasured by the family in her memory. Delsa''s last few years were hampered from the physical effects of stroke, but her humor and positive attitude continued to be an inspiration to everyone who knew her. The family would like to thank Carol Nance, Wendy Christensen and Brixi Talbot and the staff at Caregiver Support Network for the loving care they provided her during this time.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, September 12, 2013 at 11 am at the Syracuse 3rd Ward Chapel, 2679 S. 1000 W., Syracuse, Utah. Friends may visit with family on Wednesday, September 11, 2013 from 6-8 p.m. at Lindquist''s Layton Mortuary, 1867 N. Fairfield Rd. and on Thursday, from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the church.

Interment will follow at the Syracuse City Cemetery.