Barbara Faye Coon Marhant passed away October 31, 2004 in Portland, OR. She was 67 years old. Barbara was born to Garrett and Helen Coon in Glendale, CA. on April 27, 1937. While her father served in the Navy, her family relocated to several homes across the country. In the late 40's they settled in Burbank, CA where Barbara attended Jordan Jr. High and graduated from John Burroughs High in 1955. During this time, Barbara fondly became referred to as "Bunny" Many of her closest family and friends have always known her by this endearing nickname. Barbara graduated from the University of California Los Angeles with a bachelor degree in elementary education in 1959 and embarked on her lifelong career in teaching with the Burbank Unified School District. Over 34 years, Barbara taught elementary age children at Emerson Elementary, Washington Elementary, and then extensively at Bret Hart Elementary School.

Barbara and Robert Gillies Marchant, originally from Hamilton, Ontario Canada, were married in Burbank on July 1, 1961. She gave birth to their daughter, Michelle Diane, in October of 1962 and son, Gregory Robert in February of 1966. After nearly 30 years of teaching, Bunny enrolled at Pepperdine University in California and received her masters in teaching in 1988. With the masters in hand, she began teaching night classes in English at Glendale Community College while continuing to instruct at Bret Hart Elementary School in Burbank. Barbara retired from her teaching career in Burbank in the spring of 1993 and relocated with Bob to Boise, Idaho. For Barbara, Idaho possessed and unexplored beauty that fueled her adventurous soul. She taught classes for the Academic Skills Department on the campus of Boise State University. In addition, Barbara briefly taught for the Sylvan Learning Center. She was a member of the Red Hat Society and served the Assistance League of Boise where she was board secretary. She donated her time to the Assistance League thrift store and as well as Operation School Bell. Barbara was a member of the Plantation Homeowners Board and supported the Arts by volunteering regularly as an usher at the Anne Morrison Performing Arts Center.

Friends and family fondly remember Bunny as a real go-getter. She loved being out in nature and expressed this love with downhill skiing and venturing out on many back packing excursions in her much loved Yosemite Nat. Park. Barbara rode her bicycle down the green belt in Boise and piloted small aircraft over the skys of Los Angeles. She was a self-taught historian who loved to read historical fiction and nonfiction alike.

She and her husband traveled together regularly to experience the beauty and depth of the world we live in, as well as visit the many friends and loved ones that were so very dear to her. Some of her fondest memories include sailing the great rivers of America and Europe.

Family was always a priority and most of her life's goals and dreams surrounded her need and desire to build and enrich these relationship ties.

Barbara is survived by her loving husband Robert, daughter Michelle and husband Todd Bledsoe, son Gregory and wife Maureen, and their six grandchildren. She is also survived by sisters Carolyn Jean Stillman with husband James and Dorothy Anne Williams. In her generation she was preceded in death by her much beloved brother in law, Jack Williams.