Barbara Fife Settle, BHS 1945

Barbara Fife Settle, BHS 1945
1927 - 2009

Ventura County Star (CA) - Friday, May 8, 2009

On Sunday, May 3, 2009 our beloved mother, grand mother, wife, and sister, Barbara Fife Settle , passed away. She was 81 years of age. She is to be remembered for her humor, quick wit, sharp intellect, writing and story telling. She was the life of any gathering. She was gregarious and highly intuitive and had a flair for drama, but was also reflective with a tender heart filled with great compassion and empathy. She was our center and truly the light of our lives and heart of our hearts.

Barbara was born in White Hall, Michigan on September 23, 1927. The third daughter of her parents, she and her family moved to California in 1941. She attended Burbank High School and Pasadena Junior College. She met her husband, Henry, on a double date with her sister. He was in naval flight training and according to Barbara was the "handsomest thing on two legs".

Barbara and Henry have resided in Ventura since 1956. In addition to raising her children and running a home, "Moe", as we affectionately called her, also volunteered for the Ventura Police Department, returned to College, won awards for creative writing and poetry, and was an authority on the Civil War and English history. She later worked as a book-keeper, secretary, and auto-parts salesperson for her son-in-law. She also partly raised her grand daughter Cassandra, "her life", whom she adored.

Barbara vigilantly and tirelessly cared for and watched over her son William. William preceded her in death at age 42 in 1995. She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Henry Settle , daughter, Nancy Settle Vaniotis, grand daughter Cassandra Vaniotis, sisters, Peggy Fife and Joan Udell, nephews Richard Fife, Paul Harris and Elliot Harris, and all her Greek family including, Bill, Rich, Diana Vaniotis and Eva Vaniotis Tordoff.

A memorial for immediate family and friends is being planned. In lieu of flowers please make donations to The Humane Society of Ventura County or your preferred animal welfare organization.