Barbara Wagstaff

Barbara Wagstaff, 78, of Hot Springs arrived safely home on October 10, 2016. Born November 10, 1937 in Superior, Wisconsin to the late Maurice and Bernice Elewaut, she was the eldest of five children. As the oldest, she often claimed to have had a hand in raising her younger siblings of whom she was so proud. Rosemary Pietrowski, Bob, Dick and Fr. Tom Elewaut will miss their dear sister. Agile hands were Barbara’s blessing with the piano, typewriter and prayer. A longtime court reporter and medical transcriptionist, her typing skills are legendary. She was active in her church and a volunteer for many years with the Catholic Daughters of the Americas at Our Lady of the Valley Church. An incredibly organized, detailed list maker, Barbara enjoyed entertaining. She was an amazing hostess whose parties and family gatherings were anticipated by many, especially around the holidays. Barbara loved music and to remind everyone she was homecoming queen, but it was her family she loved most of all. She shared 53 years of love and friendship with her late husband, Robert Wagstaff. Her children Robert (Cindy) Wagstaff, Jeff (Grace Woo) Wagstaff, and Sherry (Don) Windham will remember Barbara’s itineraries, candy stashing and deep faith in the Catholic Church. Her grandsons J.T. Earhart, Brian Drew, and Robert J. Wagstaff III will miss the tours, amusement park outings, and sweet giggles they shared with their “Bubby.” Barbara also counted among her family the children she served and loved as a foster mom. In lieu of flowers, Barbara wished for memorials to be made to the Catholic Daughters of America c/o Our Lady of the Valley Church, 780 South State Street, Hemet, California, 92543. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held November 3, 2016 at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in Hemet, CA at 10:30 am. A graveside will be held the following day at Riverside National Cemetery at 10 am.