Barbara & Jack Bartroff
In the early 2000’s, Barbara and her husband Jack moved to B Avenue in Coronado, and soon after began receiving mail addressed to Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church. Their home of the same address one block over was getting confused with the mailing address for the church, but this was enough to bring them for a visit – a visit that quickly turned into a membership and a long-time commitment to our worshipping community.
Since then, Barbara has been praying weekly with Rebecca Smith for the past 16 years. She has also been on the church’s “official” prayer team, has helped lead VBS crews, and led a Friday Bible study for women.
Barbara met her late husband Jack on the day they both graduated from the University of Washington. She was only 21, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene, and he was 25, graduating with his dental degree. It was quite the meet cute. They were happily married for 49 years, during which time they were baptized together in the Jordan river. (Ask her about it – the story is beautiful!) Jack passed away in 2016, but we still fondly remember him playing the drums during VBS week, dressed to the nines for the Fall Festival, serving on the Missions Committee, or attending an adult Bible study together with Barbara.
As a child, Barbara always dreamed of being a wife! She obviously fulfilled this dream, while also working as a dental hygienist. Now, she is retired and works with World Vision to help support the work they do outside of child sponsorship. She also enjoys cycling and gardening (both fruits and veggies).
When asked about her favorite toothpaste, Barbara shared that she uses whatever they have at Costco. And that is from the dental hygienist! “But,” she said, “I am also retired, so I don’t know if I can be trusted anymore!”
If she could go back in time and meet anyone other than Jesus, Barbara would want to meet Harriet Tubman. Barbara admires her physical strength as a woman, even if it was small, and her extreme dependence on the Holy Spirit for guidance and power. Anyone with the pleasure of meeting Barbara knows she is an absolute prayer warrior. Her passion for truth and the Word is life-giving, with her heart constantly postured toward the Father. She is herself an example of true strength and dependence as she clearly seeks to know Christ and make Christ known.
