Barbara Parsons

Barbara Parsons, 70

Barb passed away on Dec. 26, 2017, at 1:30 a.m. peacefully in the care of the Coeur d’Alene Hospice House. She was diagnosed with terminal bone cancer on Dec. 13, 2013. She lived for four years with this terrible disease and would not allow her disease to take control of her life without a fight. We did as many things as was possible each year, however, as the disease progressed we were forced to slow down.

She was always herself right up to the final days. Always caring about others, a loving personality, and above all, her sense of humor. She attended a normal scheduled blood draw on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017, at the Kootenai Cancer Center, to see if the counts would allow her to continue with her chemo treatment plan. Unfortunately, the disease had advanced so she was admitted to the hospital for observation and to see if there were some IVs that could get the calcium counts back.

The IVs they administered brought the calcium count back in line. They wanted to have her stay there for another day to see if the calcium would hold. Unfortunately the disease was too far along, and the diagnosis from the doctor was that she had anywhere from two days, to maybe two weeks left.

Both of us have lived with this terrible disease for four years and knew the inevitable day would come. Barb’s wish was that she would go out peacefully, and fortunately, that happened. Hoover and I stayed in the room Christmas Eve through Christmas Day. They have sleeping accommodations in the room for guests. I kissed her goodbye and her final words were, “love you, sweetie.” The good Lord now has her. May they enjoy her as much as I have had the pleasure of enjoying for 45 years. God Bless Barb.

Barbara was born in Rice Lake, Wis., on July 9, 1947, to Le Roy and Charlotte (Baker) Swenson. She was raised in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and moved to the Bay Area where she started her career. Barb met George Parsons and they were married Feb. 3, 1973, in Reno, Nev. They moved to Coeur d’Alene in 1987 to help care for her parents.

Barb was a member of Elks Club in Coeur d’Alene.

Memorials may be made to American Cancer Society, 920 N. Washington St., Ste. 200, Spokane, WA 99201, or Hospice of North Idaho, 9493 N. Government Way, Hayden, ID 83835.

At her request no services will be held. E