Barbara Spillinger

84, died peacefully on January 28, 2015, at her home at Clearbrook Inn Assisted Living Center in Silverdale, Washington.Born on April 23, 1930, in Rahway, New Jersey, Barbara was the daughter of the late Colonel Harry Gordon Spillinger, USAF (retired), and Margaret "Peg" Swinton Spillinger of Bellevue, Washington.As a military dependent, Barbara moved with her Air Force family to Dayton, Ohio; Tokyo, Japan; Cape Canaveral, Florida; and eventually Washington, DC. She graduated from Dayton's Oakwood High School in 1947 and Russell Sage College in Troy, New York, in 1952 with a bachelor of science degree (with honors) in business. She later served as President of the Russell Sage College Alumnae Association and member of the college's Board of Trustees.Barbara became a resident of Washington, DC, in 1955, residing in the Watergate complex from 1976 to 2013. She held several executive positions with law firms, businesses and federal and local governments, including service as Executive Assistant to the White House Office of Special Projects during the Eisenhower Administration and Executive Assistant to the Director of the Washington DC Federal City Council. In 1966, Barbara was employed as Executive Assistant to the President of the American Mining Congress, retiring from that organization in 1991 as its Vice President and Corporate Secretary.Barbara was active in District of Columbia politics, serving as Chair, Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2A, from 1999 to 2001, as well as Vice President of the Foggy Bottom Association for a term starting in June of 2001. She also served as Treasurer, Vice President, and President of the League of Republican Women of Washington DC. She was a member of the DC Delegation to five Republican Party National Conventions and was a long-time member of the DC Republican Committee.Barbara moved to Washington State in January of 2013 to be closer to family. She is survived by a brother Gordon Spillinger, his wife Maxine, and two nephews John and Matthew, all of Port Orchard, Washington. She is also survived by her niece Margaret "Peggy" Harris, Peggy's husband Stephen, and two grand-nephews William Gordon and Walker Max, all of Johns Island, SC. Barbara's second brother, Ralph Spillinger, resides on Bainbridge Island, WA.ARRANGEMENTS: To respect Barbara's wishes, there will be no formal services. Her remains will be cremated under management of the Cook Family Funeral Home on Bainbridge Island, WA, and will then be interred with those of her parents in a columbarium at Arlington National Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made in Barbara's memory to Russell Sage College, The Sage Fund for Excellence, 65 First Street, Troy, NY 12180.