Patricia Louise "Trish" Barber

Patricia (Smith) Barber, passed away on November 12, 2024.

Trish was born to Louis and Rita Smith in Santa Monica, CA on March 1, 1953.

A beautiful person, inside and out, she will be remembered for her infectious smile and laughter as well as her huge heart and capacity to bring joy and unconditional love to those around her. She will be remembered for many things.

Trish was a fun, hippy-soul who loved the sun, stars and the moon, horses, especially Appaloosas, and loved to share childhood memories of growing up in California: picking the neighbors oranges when she shouldn’t, sitting in the back of her parent’s station wagon on road trips, and adventures on Jackman Street. Her most special childhood memories where of the precious time she spent with her dad and Aunt Louise.

When her father passed away, her mother and three younger siblings moved to Sioux City. It was here that she made most of her memories—her story. Trish loved to tell her stories. Most of the time you just had to say one word and she’d grin, throw her head back and laugh. You knew right then that this was a good one. Listening to her was like being there with her.

Trish helped raise her younger siblings, so they were like her kids for most of their lives. In their teens they gave her plenty of stories, from sneaking out, shooting bottle rockets up the stairs, calling tow trucks for stuck vehicles, or any other “trouble” they could get caught up in.

During her 16 years of marriage to Mark Thompson, she had two sons; Matt and Andy Thompson and gathered many more fond memories. Her baby blue Volkswagen Beetle, summers at her cousin’s pool, amazing life-long friendships, parties, her blue Bronco and Christmas Eves where the grown-ups would stay up almost all night, put together the kids’ presents and end up playing with them…the list is endless.

Years later, it was during a night out with her sister Penni at the Buffalo Alice that Trish met (again) Randy Barber. They eventually eloped in the Black Hills, getting married in Spearfish, SD. From enjoying each other’s company cozy at home, to dancing at Johnny’s on the River, hosting holidays, get togethers that started with everyone crowded in the kitchen and ending with dancing to some of her favorite music: Janis Joplin, Joni Mitchell, Beach Boys, Beatles, ELO, Elton John. So many nights sitting with friends and family who showed up on their porch. All were welcome. All were loved. They built a life together, made a lifetime of memories in Trish’s beloved old house built in 1906.

And for us, all of her family and friends, we have our own memories of Trish. Her kids talk about how she only needed to whistle, a loud, two fingered whistle, that was easily heard blocks away to get them home. Whiffle ball in the park-like front lawn. Trips to the Black Hills. They took many adventures in nature with her-- countless trips to Stone State Park, which almost always involved frisbee. Their later memories were sitting on the front porch enjoying conversations with family and friends. Or gathering in the kitchen or the “blue room.”

Trish’s house was a home to everyone. She was a great mom—the best. Her patience. Her constant, unconditional love.

 Now, her two grandsons have made memories they can carry with them. When she told them to bury their action figures and matchbox cars in the mud, so they would grow new ones. Swinging with her in the large oak tree planted when her oldest was born. The bunk beds in the spare room of her house where they would spend the night. When grandma and grandpa Barber went with them to the Black Hills. The fact she called them her babies. They now have hundreds and thousands of stories, joyful times spent with her that they can hold onto and relive with their kids and grandkids.

Trish did not want us to mourn her. She asked us all to celebrate her. And so we will. She will never be far from us. She lives on in each of our memories of her and in our hearts.

She is preceded in death by her father and mother, Louis and Rita, cherished Aunt Louise, and her brother, Scott Smith.

She is survived by her Husband, Randy Barber, sons Matt and Andy Thompson, two daughters-in-law’s (that she called her daughters), Amy and Jayme Thompson, and grandsons, Luke and Jack Thompson, and sisters Ruth Scattaglia and Penni Hernandez and brother Stewart Smith.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, November 23rd from 3:00pm – 7:00pm at Stoney Creek Event Center, 300 3rd Street, Sioux City, IA 51101

Trish believed that all strays were welcome in her home, whether 4 legs or 2. So, to honor her and her loving and caring spirit, we ask that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Noah’s Hope Animal Rescue in Sioux City, in memory of Trish Barber.