Barbara Lea McDermott, 89, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, January 7th * 2018 in Boise, Idaho. Barbara entered into life on November 14th, 1928 in Worcester, Massachusetts to Frank and Lea Stone. She had one sister who was nine years older than she. Her father had a business refinishing and restoring antique furniture and her mother was a homemaker. Barbara excelled in school, where her favorite subjects were physics and chemistry, and after high school went to college in Maine. In those days only 12% of women attended college so this was quite an accomplishment. She graduated in 1949 with a degree in Medical Technology and went straight to work in the lab until she retired 42 years later. She met Thomas McDermott, a young medical student, on the 'L' in Chicago, Illinois and they married in 1952. Together they had six children; Joani, Thomas, Katie, Maggie, Lisa, and Patsy. Their home was not only filled with kids and laughter but also with the delicious aroma of her cooking. She loved 'A Treasury of Great Recipes by Mary and Vincent Price' and much to her children's chagrin, she even made them eat the peanut butter ham recipe. That one ended up in the trash. Her grandchildren recall her giant cream puffs filled with silky custard and topped with chocolate. Barbara McDermott was a trailblazer with strongly held beliefs and an enthusiastic love for learning and adventure. Barbara was always fearless: she rode motorcycles, went down a trail to the floor of the Grand Canyon on a mule, donned a miner's helmet and explored ice-caves, and visited dozens of National Parks in the U.S. and Canada, driving her van packed with her kids. She even went to nursing school and became an LVN (LPN) at the age of sixty-three to take care of her daughter Maggie, who has MS. Barbara used to play the piano and her children still remember hearing her play at night with a beautiful poignancy that few can match. She loved classical music and attending the symphony. She loved sports (Go Patriots!) and one of her favorite things to hear was, 'gentlemen, start your engines!' Barbara was passionate about politics and loved a spirited debate. She taught her children that everyone deserves to be treated with respect and dignity and had always been a strong supporter of equality for women and people of all races. At every holiday she would invite someone over who had nowhere to go, bringing that person into the family. This tradition continues with her children and grandchildren. She held a deep gratitude to God for His faithfulness and goodness and a love for His Word and the Church. Barbara is survived by her six children, 18 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren. Services will be held on January 20th, 2018@ 11:30 a.m. at Cloverdale United Reformed Church 3580 N. Cloverdale Road, Boise, ID 83713.