Barbara Ann Stanford

Barbara Ann Stanford passed away peacefully on October 11, 2024, in Munster, IN after 84 years of love and adventures.

Barbara Ann Stanford (nee Middleton) was born November 6, 1939, in Stoke on Trent, England to George and Evelyn Middleton (nee Dolson), two months after the start of World War II. During that time, cities and large towns in the United Kingdom feared bombing which resulted in government evacuation orders causing Barb, an only child who lost her father at the age of two, to be separated from her mother and to be evacuated to the rural countryside with thousands of children where they lived with families they did not know. This was the start of Barb’s strength, independence, and her ability to easily make friends. After the war she was one of the fortunate children who were able to return home to be with her mother, uncles, aunts, cousins, and beloved grandmother.

Barb attended nanny finishing school which is a prestigious and respected position held in high regard in the United Kingdom. She left home at 17, moved to London, and began working for the Smith Family. In her free time, she traveled with her girlfriends and enjoyed nights out dancing. At 19 Barb met Paul Stanford and they married on November 7, 1959. Together they took a big leap over the pond arriving in America on June 27, 1960. Barb was a devoted loving mother of four children, Mike, Mary, Paul, and Ed.

After raising her children, Barb started working for Montgomery Ward Co. in Munster, Indiana as the maintenance assistant, moving up to manager. When those doors closed, Barb was not ready to retire! Always active, she and her friends would meet at McDonald’s every week and she volunteered several days a week at St. Margaret Hospital in Hammond. Barb never drove a car, she walked and navigated public transportation better than any Google Maps ever could! One of her favorite activities was taking her grandchildren on adventures to Chicago. She cherished her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was an avid letter writer, enjoyed knitting hats and little bear sweaters, a famous cookie baker, and #1 Cubs fan. Another favorite pastime was lovingly tending to her beautiful English garden.

Barb has made so many wonderful friendships and great memories. She was known for her fun-loving attitude and making the best of any situation. Her spirit will always be with us, woven into the fabric of our hearts.

To continue her legacy are her children, Michael (Shelley) Stanford, Mary-Ann Westerhoff, Paul (Patricia) Stanford, and Edward Stanford. Beloved grandchildren, Jonathon Grayson, Mikey Stanford, Sean (Melissa) Stanford, Eric (Stephanie) Stanford, Van (Cheli) Westerhoff, Ivy (Kyle) Barrett, Wyn Westerhoff, Ian (Aliveya) Westerhoff, Paul (Christina) Stanford, Ashley (Jesus) Bailon, Phillip (Kristen) Stanford, Scott (Sabrina) Basaldua, Daniel Stanford, and many loving great grandchildren.