Barbara Anne Finch

“I have the mortuary on speed dial.”

“As long as I’m vertical and ventilating!”

“This world is not our home, we are just passing through.”

“I’ve got enough gas to blow us all to China!” ….are a few of the sayings unique to Mom.

Born in Berea, Ohio on 11 November 1931, now known as Veteran’s Day, Barbara Anne Saunders Finch was destined to serve the country she so loved. She proudly enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1950 alongside her sister during the Korean War, with Mom’s total service time of approximately 12 years. Mom and Aunt Mimi have fond memories of Okinawa where a newspaper article was written about them, and whispers of, “Sisters!” could be heard when they entered establishments on the island.

Mom experienced fun travel in the late 1940s with her family during trips back and forth across the U.S., with her Dad pulling the largest mobile home of its kind during that era, hitting every National Park along the way. An adventurous spirit framed her life, as she often yearned to hit the road and “Go!” When not in a 4-wheeled vehicle, a motorcycle brought her many fond years of joy.

During a tour of duty in Munich, Germany mom met and married a handsome Army Bandsman/Percussionist, John Finch, with whom 60 years of marriage ensued, and two children were born: Barry & Carrie. The Army life brought travel and experiences abroad, including: Fort Huachuca, AZ; Panama; Heidelberg, Germany (8 yrs total); Fort Sill, OK; and Fort Jackson, SC. Mom held security clearances to work for an intelligence division in Germany during the Cold War, and for a Sheriff’s office in SC. Our family became fond of framed and various molas after tours Mom did to the San Blas Islands off the coast of Panama. Adelle Davis’s book on nutrition was Mom’s bible for eating well and living long (it worked). Mom had a passion for animals. We had cool fish tanks growing up. She loved sloths. We had a freeze-dried coral snake in moth balls. She loved gray hair on women. Her hair was naturally dark, even at age 93.

Still alive, missing Barbara, are: husband of 60 yrs, John Finch of Tucson, AZ; daughter, Carrie Finch of Tucson/ N ID; son, Barry Finch of Pensacola, FL; twins, Dave Swink of Tahuya, WA and Diane Speers of Surprise, AZ; sister, Marilyn Ohm of Tucson, AZ; niece, Kris Ohm of Tucson, AZ; nephew, Paul Ohm of Tucson, AZ; nephew, Jay Ohm of Hettinger, ND; niece, Lynn Silvers of Longmont, CO. When one lives to 93, too many family members precede them. There’s a heck of a reunion happening up in Heaven.

Mom and Dad moved from FL to a gated park in Tucson, AZ in October, 2024 to be near her sister and family. A fall on 1 December led to her demise and inability to recover. The night of 28 March, 2025 mom got that ride to the funeral home she’d been joking about.

“Hey, Mom….you were a class act. Way to go! We LOVE you.”