Barbra Dale Walton

A New Year’s Day baby, Barbra was born in Marquette, and she lived most of her too-short life next to Lake Superior, a place she deeply loved. She was the youngest of five children of Barbara (Bolduc) and John Letts of Marquette, and beloved (and happily spoiled) little sister to Becky (deceased 1983), Michael (Jayne), Larry (Elizabeth) and Scott (Terry). She leaves behind her heartbroken husband, Doug, her extended family of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews, and numerous dear friends.

Barbra spent a wonderful childhood in Marquette, surrounded by the nurturing love and guidance of her parents, siblings, and grandparents, and a large, close-knit extended family. She loved running and playing in the woods, inventing exciting worlds and scenarios from her imagination, and summers swimming in Lake Superior and playing on the beach with her family and friends.

But most of all, Barbra loved to read. From an early age, it was clear that she was uncommonly intelligent and creative. At age seven, inspired by the first Star Wars movie and her hero Princess Leia, she discovered a lifelong passion for computers and technology. A few years later, after her parents bought her a VIC-20, she taught herself to write software programs – skills that ultimately launched her career in software development and, later, leadership of multiple engineering teams at prominent technology companies. Barbra pursued a degree in Ancient Greek and Latin at both Northern Michigan University and the University of Minnesota, and while she loved the subject, her heart was always with technology and writing software. Her talent, unshakeable confidence and fearlessness, and intelligence propelled her tech career, and with her continued success, she never looked back. At the time of her illness, Barbra was leading multiple software systems infrastructure teams at Shopify.

Barbra found herself in Boulder, Colorado, in 1992 at the beginning of her tech career as a result of an adventure road trip with a friend. She stayed there for ten years – software tech jobs were plentiful, and she loved the area. It was there that she met her future husband, Doug, when he interviewed at the software startup where Barbra worked. The day they met was a profound turning point in Barbra’s and Doug’s lives; their attraction for one another was immediate and startling. As Barbra liked to say, they were ‘stupid about each other’ from the start. They moved to Marquette in 2002 to be near family and to be immersed in the clear, bracing beauty of the U.P. Barbra and Doug were able to work remotely in tech, which gave them time and flexibility to enjoy each other, their families and friends, the beauty of the U.P., and their much-loved doggies.

Barbra’s passions included reading, cooking and cuisine, computer gaming, travel, mountain biking, and hiking all over Marquette and the Upper Peninsula. She became an extraordinary cook – oh, could Barbra cook! – and she and Doug loved vacationing in Copper Harbor and traveling throughout Europe, the U.S., and Canada. They fell in love with Paris and Alsace on their honeymoon and returned often. At home, many of their happiest hours were spent together on the deck and at their beautiful home overlooking the forest and creek, enjoying great food, long happy hours of wine, champagne, and cocktails, and endless conversation, laughter, and joy.

Barbra will be remembered for the uniqueness of her personality and spirit; her intelligence, sense of humor and wit; her kindness, optimism, and fearlessness; and so much more. Her departure is an unimaginable loss for those who knew and loved her. As her husband, Doug, shares:

‘From the very beginning of my life with Barbra, she showed me how to best live a life, and how to love someone patiently, deeply, and unconditionally. And yet, Barbra never told me to do things this way or that – she just naturally did it, and I watched and learned. I’ll always be grateful and hopefully be a better person for being with and being loved by her.’

Barbra is, and will always be, missed deeply, and she will never be forgotten. She truly was the best of us. It’s tragic and sad that Barbra’s and Doug’s wonderful fairy tale was interrupted, but they will always be together. They have always been and will remain soulmates – the true loves of each other’s lives.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the caring staff at Trillium House in Marquette, Lake Superior Life Care and Hospice, and the many doctors, nurses, and support staff at the Upper Peninsula Health System (UPHS) Cancer Center. Deep thanks as well to the family members and friends whose unwavering, direct support sustained Barbra and Doug throughout this time.

In keeping with Barbra’s wishes, her ashes were scattered at several beloved locations in the area. A celebration of life is being planned; details will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Barbra’s name to either the Peter White Public Library, Children’s Library (Marquette, MI), or the Upper Peninsula Animal Welfare Shelter (UPAWS). The Canale Tonella Tonella Funeral Home and Cremation Services is serving the family where condolences may be expressed online at canalefuneral.com