Obituary for Barbara J McGinn Barbara Jean (Wilky, Pendergast) McGinn joined our Lord on June 03, 2018. She was born September 01, 1932 in Phoenix, AZ. Her family was one of the “first families” to settle in the Phoenix Valley in the late 1800’s.
Raised in Phoenix, Barbara was the youngest of three daughters to Harold Cartwright Wilky and Ann Marie (Evans) Wilky and was later joined by a brother. She married Lewis “Buster” A. Pendergast, Sr. of Tolleson, AZ in the early 1950’s and had five children together. Barbara moved to Prescott in 1965 with her five children under her wings to begin a new book of life and be near her parents who had retired in Prescott.
She found loving support in her Christian belief for herself and her five children at the First Baptist Church on Marina St. While working as an “ironing lady”, and providing after school child care in her home on E. Union St. she was also working as a nursing aid. Barbara was encouraged to apply for a new nursing program within the Yavapai Community Hospital system. Barbara graduated nursing school and become a License Practical Nurse (LPN) in approximately 1968 and began her career.
She later transferred to the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in September 1971 in the Intensive Care Unit. There she found the man she had prayed for, John Francis McGinn, Sr. from Massachusetts, as a newly hired Policeman for the Federal Protection Service at the VA. They married on August 09, 1974 and were together for 32 years until his passing.
Tiring from the nursing duties and rotating schedules, Barbara moved within the VA Center to be a Librarian Assistant retiring from her Federal Government employment at the VA on September 01, 1992. Years later, she began working at Wal-Mart finishing her career as a Customer Service Manager (CSM), fully retiring in 2007. From the mid 70’s to the early 90’s, she was known as “Bobbi” the clown alongside her husband, “Baa Baa” in Prescott.
As a team, they were always at the county fairs and rodeos painting faces and doing magic tricks. For many years they participated in the Mt. Vernon Halloween –Trick or Treat candy distribution to all the kids.
For over twenty years, they were also known as Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus at the Ponderosa Plaza Mall also surprising children on Christmas eve with gifts at their own homes. Barbara was up before sunrise and working at her daily tasks that came to mind, she was passionate about working in her lawn, flowerbeds and sharing real life with family and friends. She was self-sufficient and determined to get the jobs or tasks done, ready or not & set an example for being an amazing team mate.
Her spirit was fun, full of energy, she was spontaneous and could change course in a split moment while being supportive and generous beyond comprehension. She would share her Christian belief & testimonials and has guided many in accepting the Lord as their Savior. Barbara was preceded in passing by her husband, John F. McGinn, Sr., her youngest son, Lewis A. Pendergast, Jr., her parents, Harold and A. Marie Wilky, sister, Elizabeth (Betty) Orr and brother, William (Bill) Wilky.
Barbara is survived by her sister, Georgia Fleek of Phoenix, AZ; son, Harold Pendergast, daughters, Sherrie Goodner (Roy), Sabrina McKown, Andrea Robertson (T. Scott) and daughter-in-law, Barbara Pendergast. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, cousins, many nieces, nephews and greats.
Barbara loved making memories with her family to include her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, her nieces and nephews and extended family. She would travel around the country to spend time with her family members and with many other loved ones that she would embrace in her circle of life. She often hosted family gatherings at her home in Prescott, especially on the 4th of July, and her family would travel from the four corners of the country to be with her.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held Sunday, July 1st, 2018, at 2:00 p.m. in the main sanctuary of Solid Rock Christian Fellowship, (formerly known as the First Baptist Church), 148 S. Marina St., Prescott, AZ 86303 with lunch being provided following the services in the Smyth Building on church property. Then, on Monday, July 2nd, at 10:00 a.m. there will be a brief graveside service at the National Cemetery on E. Gurley St., Prescott, AZ where she will be honored and then placed with her husband in wall # 50. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her honor to: “Solid Rock Christian Fellowship/ First Baptist Church/ Youth Group/ 148 S. Marina St., Prescott, AZ 86303.
As we all know, her heart and soul were loving, kind, generous, funny, youthful, happy, joyous and free. She always wanted to have “Fun, Fun, Fun”. Thank you to all of you whom made special memories for our Mom either by your surprise visits, a listening ear, gentle care, gifts of love & kind words or notes of encouragement.
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