Barbara Flynn Thiessen

Barbara Flynn Thiessen - Barbara Flynn Thiessen, age 82, passed away on Sunday, March 6, 2011 while hospitalized at Northern California Rehabilitation Hospital following an unexpected illness. Her family was by her side. Barbara Ann Wilson was born on December 22, 1928 in Indianapolis, IN. Barbara was the daughter of Esther and John Wilson and oldest sister to Mary Lu and Robert Wilson. The family moved to San Francisco, CA in the 1930â??s living there and in Oakland, CA until the death of her father in 1941 when she and her family moved back to her family home in Indianapolis. Barbara attended public schools in Indianapolis and graduated from Shortridge High School. After high school, Barbara attended Wittenberg College in Springfield, Ohio where she majored in English and established many friendships that have lasted her lifetime, especially her Gamma Phi Beta sorority sisters. Barbaraâ??s first job was working as a secretary at McDowell Elementary School in Petaluma. In 1968, she began working for the Petaluma branch of the Municipal Court. She eventually transferred to the Sonoma County seat in Santa Rosa, CA working through the ranks until ultimately becoming the Assistant Court Executive Officer of the Sonoma County Municipal Court. During her successful career, Barbara always managed to be there for her growing daughters, especially following the death of her husband "Murph""" in 1975 after 25 years of marriage. Barbara was preceded in death by her brother Robert Wilson and nephew Danny Wilson. "" Barbara touched the lives of many throughout her life and enhanced communities where she lived. Nothing brought her greater joy than her family, and the people she befriended. Donations can be made to the newly established Barbara Thiessen Community Service scholarship fund for graduating high school seniors active in the community. Checks should be made out to the Lewiston Sparkies, P.O. Box 594, Lewiston, CA 96052. Please note in the memo section it is for the Barbara Thiessen scholarship. We will celebrate Barbaraâ??s life on May 21, 2011 at 1:30 p.m. at the Petaluma Womenâ??s Club at 518 B Street in Petaluma, California. All friends of Barbara are invited to attend and share their memories of this truly great woman. In 1950 Barbara prepared for a summer stay to her uncleâ??s â??resortâ?