Barbara Carol Michael

Barbara Carol Smith Michael, 80, passed away peacefully at home on September 3, 2024, with her loving husband by her side. A beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, Barbara will always be remembered as the heart and soul of her family. 

Born July 3, 1944, in Fargo, North Dakota, Barbara grew up the only daughter of Albert and Beatrice Smith. Her earliest years were spent living “above the store” at the airport owned by her parents in Jamestown, ND. After the death of her father in 1956, Barbara and her mother moved to Roseburg, Oregon, where she met her high school sweetheart, Joe Michael, and after she graduated from Oregon State University, they married. They enjoyed raising their two children with trips to the beach, camping, and Diamond Lake. After moving several times for Joe’s career, they settled on her beloved Bainbridge Island in 1987. She loved the water and living on an island was a dream to her.

A devoted mother and grandmother, Barbara’s greatest joy came from nurturing her family. Her grandsons were the light of her life, spending as much time as she could with them– including attending endless sporting events and taking them camping. Barbara was also passionate about reading, traveling, gardening, quilting, and feeding her friends and family – lefse, applesauce, chocolate chip cookies, and Swedish meatballs were family favorites.

Barbara is survived by her husband of 58 years, Joe Michael; son Brian Michael and wife Angela; daughter Debi Jo Bateman and husband Jeff; and grandsons Ian Michael and Sam Michael.

A celebration of Barbara’s life will be held at 1:00 pm on November 23 at Bethany Lutheran Church, Bainbridge Island. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Barbara’s memory to Bethany Lutheran Church ( http://bethanyofbainbridge.org ) or Island Volunteer Caregivers (https://www.ivcbainbridge.org/donate ).

Arrangements entrusted to Cook Family Funeral Home of Bainbridge Island, WA