Grethe Hallberg Barber

Grethe Hallberg Barber, 82, a 42-year resident of Washougal, WA was surrounded by family when she passed away from complications of cancer on Dec. 31, 2024. She was born on April 11, 1942, in Rochester, MN to Dr. O. Erik and Mildred Hallberg. Grethe graduated from John Marshall High School in 1960 and then attended Lawrence University in Wisconsin, graduating with a degree in Spanish.

After college, Grethe began her lifelong career helping others, starting as a social worker in Chicago and then teaching in Mexico City and Long Island, NY. She returned to Appleton, WI, for a teaching position where she met Harry Barber and married in 1967. They raised four highly active children together.

In the numerous places Grethe lived, she made lifelong friends including a special relationship with her cousins in Norway. She cherished all her friendships. Her time in Port Townsend was particularly meaningful as it brought about the Rhody Run tradition, fishing on the ocean and quality beach time at Fort Worden, which fed her lifelong love of sunshine.

Fluent in French, Spanish, and Italian, Grethe traveled the world, embracing new cultures and people. Her never-ending desire to learn brought about college courses in art, geology, astronomy and eventually a call to the Christian faith. Grethe obtained her Master’s in Art Therapy from The University of Portland in 1996. She completed her Master of Divinity from Church Divinity School of the Pacific in Berkeley in 2000. Her devotion to the Episcopal Church led her to the Church of the Good Shepherd where she was a deacon before becoming an ordained minister. She was a beloved chaplain at both Providence and Peace Health for over ten years. She continued her faith journey to St. Anne’s Episcopal Church in Washougal where she led worship up until a month of her passing.

Grethe lived life with boundless energy and a refusal to believe in moderation. Whether she was running marathons, slugging through Hood to Coast (their team name was Slug Bait), cycling in 100-mile bike rides, or completing triathlons, she embraced every challenge with enthusiasm and laughter. As a gifted pianist and talented artist, she shared her love of music and crafts with her grandchildren. Grethe also loved the water whether participating in her water exercise class or swimming in the Washougal River, it brought her joy.

Grethe exuded an unyielding positivity, finding gratitude in every moment. After receiving a terminal diagnosis in July 2023, she continued to live her life to the absolute fullest. When her chemotherapy was completed, she traveled with her children on a weeklong trip to Zihuatanejo, Mexico, much to her doctors’ chagrin. She also spent a week in Lake Chelan with family, teaching her grandchildren (and children) the art of the perfect dive off the dock and providing water skiing tips. She was an expert at both. She was the grandchildren’s number one fan and you could also always find her in the stands cheering while they played football, soccer, or water polo.

Grethe’s vibrant personality touched everyone she met, leaving an indelible, positive mark on their lives. She will be remembered for her unique and quirky sense of humor, generous hospitality at her river home, and the ability to find beauty in her surroundings every day. She is dearly missed by all.

Grethe is predeceased by her parents and brother Erik. She is survived by two sons: Erik (Alison) Barber of Tillamook, OR, and Peter (Sarah) Barber of Brush Prairie, WA: two daughters, Marie (Phil) Grandinetti of La Jolla, CA, and Eva (Rob) Downs of Newcastle, WA, her brother Victor (Susan) Hallberg of Chanhassen, MN and her sister-in-law Maxine Hallberg of Bend, OR. Grethe is also survived by her six beloved grandchildren: Carson, Nick, Ava, Sophia, Cora and Brooke and many relatives and friends.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Grethe’s life with a service at The Good Shepherd Church in Vancouver, WA, on April 12, 2025, at 1 P.M. Following the service, a reception will be held at the Black Pearl in Washougal, WA. Per Grethe’s wishes, come and celebrate her memory by wearing bright colors. A private interment at the Washougal Cemetery will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made in memory of Grethe Hallberg Barber to the Mayo Clinic by visiting https://philanthropy.mayoclinic.org/donateMC or calling 507-284-2264. Please indicate the funding should be used for cancer research.