Barbara L. Stevens

Barbara L. Stevens, 91, passed on Saturday, August 10, 2024.  Barbara is survived by her five children, Gordon L. (Terri) Stevens, Gregg A. Stevens, both of Colorado Springs; Karen L. Hawley, Pueblo; Mark D. (Shelly Jensen) Stevens, Twin Falls, Idaho; and Brian A. Stevens, Mooresville, North Carolina.  Barbara has three surviving sisters, Lucinda Ellis, Maryellen Coye, and Janet Caputo.  She had seven grandsons and one great-granddaughter.

Barbara was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Gordon W. Stevens who passed on November 19, 2004.

Barbara was born on November 19, 1932, in Syracuse, N.Y., one of five sisters.  Barbara enjoyed a life well lived.  Her life was punctuated with multiple roles, daughter, sister, wife, mother, friend, student, librarian, and humanitarian.  She enjoyed her youth in her upstate New York where she met her future husband, Gordon.  Her marriage was loving and adventurous as she lived in many parts of the country, including New York (multiple times), Florida, Ohio, California, Arizona, New Jersey, Colorado, Kansas, and Virginia. Over the course of multiple moves, Barbara and Gordon were blessed with five children.  While her husband worked, Barbara served as a librarian in multiple schools, while slowly taking college classes when she could.  Once Barbara and Gordon landed in Virginia, Barbara became more serious with library science, working for the Fairfax County Public Library system.  It was in Virginia that Barbara was to become steeped in political action and became part of the League of Women Voters (LWV).  Her involvement in the LWV lead her to participate in voter registration, candidate forums, and ballot initiatives.  Upon retirement back in Pueblo, CO, Barbara decided it was time to finish her college work. On May 1, 2004, at the age of 71, Barbara was awarded her Bachelor of Arts degree, Summa Cum Laude, with a major in History.  She was additionally awarded the Capps Capozzolo Award for Academic Excellence.  Barbara served as the President of the League of Women Voters in Pueblo, CO for a number of years.  Barbara represented so many amazing qualities which she bestowed upon her children.  She was a humanitarian, serving and donating to multiple charities, she was honest, pragmatic, and loving.  She had an enormous love of history and the English language and was a voracious reader.  She was a role model to her family, friends, and co-workers.  Her impact on the people in her life can’t be overestimated.  She will be loved and remembered by all the many lives she touched.

As per her wishes, there will be no viewing and she has requested cremation.  The family respectfully requests the omission of flowers.  Barbara was a supporter of charity and philanthropy and encourages those who may desire to honor her by making a donation to a charity of one’s choosing.