Barbara Jean Cooksey

Barbara Jean Cooksey of Moscow died Thursday, September 27, 2018 at Gritman Medical Center. She was 74.

Barbara was born May 24, 1944 at Yakima, WA to Robert B. and Edna M. Wilson Haley. The family moved to the Moscow area when Barbara was a child.  She and Fain Thomas “Tom” Cooksey Jr. were married in Moscow on December 23, 1963. They moved to Twenty-Nine Palms, California while Tom served in the Marines. Following his discharge, they returned to the Moscow area where they raised their two daughters.

After the girls started school, Barbara went to work in banking. Then in 1985, Barbara joined the University of Idaho, retiring in 2005. Tom and Barbara enjoyed their retirement together traveling and spending time with family.

Barbara was actively involved in Women’s Ministries at the Moscow Church of the Nazarene, where she formed dear friendships. She enjoyed serving her church in any way possible. She was active in various ministry projects, belonged to a Garden Club and helped with the Latah County Fair for many years. She enjoyed scrap-booking, gardening and traveling with her family including many special trips with her sibling and cousins Patricia Bates and Donald Gayman. Disneyland was one of her favorite destinations and she was often referred to as the “Disney Princess”.

Barbara is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Kim and Clay Presby and Pam and Scott Beutler all of Moscow, along with grandchildren, Scott, Steven, Storm, Colton, Caiden, Page and Marilyn. Also surviving is her sister Marilyn Shea of Spokane, brother Robert Haley of Spokane, brother Bradley and wife Pen Haley of Thailand, and Jodean Moore of Moscow - longtime friend, neighbor and confidant.

She was preceded in death by her husband Tom of 44 years, her parents and her in-laws, Fain Sr. and Berndenia Cooksey.

At her request, a private graveside service will be at the Moscow Cemetery.

Friends and family are invited to a luncheon the Moscow Church of the Nazarene Fellowship Hall to celebrate Barbara’s life on Saturday, October 6, 2018 at 11:00 am.

The family suggests memorials be made to the Women’s Ministries at the Moscow Nazarene Church.

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