Barbara Ann Valdez

Barbara Ann Valdez, 84, beloved mother and grandmother, passed away peacefully on November 19, 2023 among her family including 2 daughters, son, grandsons, brother, & son-in-law at St. Alphonsus Medical Center in Nampa, I.D..

Barbara, the first of 4 children, was born on June 12, 1939 in Chillicothe, Missouri to Florence Margaret Van Camp-Tofani and Merrill Edward Van Camp.  Barbara’s surviving siblings include her sister, Betty Jo Becker (Patrick), Jerry Van Camp (Bonnie Rash), and James Van Camp.  

Barbara married and divorced Gelacio Valdez, born in León, Guanajuato.  Her children are Maria Valdez-Henshaw (Jason), Joseph Van Camp, and Amy Valdez-Fagan (Gerves). Her grandchildren are Ethan Henshaw (age 17) and Logan Henshaw (age 12). 

Barbara lived in South Dakota, Colorado, New Mexico, Washington D.C., California, Oregon, & Idaho.  She attended St. Teresa’s Academy (High School), St. Mary-of-the-Wasatch College, University of Portland (B.A.) with Honors, and the University of Oregon (M.A.).  She was a member of the Delta Epsilon Sigma Honor Society & Who’s Who in American Colleges & Universities. She worked as an assistant to a State Senator in Washington D.C., an English Instructor for 30 years at Boise State University, the Chief Editor/Writer for the Mountain States Tumor Institute newsletter, proofreader for the Grand Jury of Idaho, and pianist for the Bon Marché.  She also edited many manuscripts & publications for colleagues and graduate students over the years. 

After her retirement, she volunteered countless hours to NAMI of Idaho, St. Mark’s Church, Holy Apostles Church, the Idaho State Correctional Institution, and her neighborhood association. She loved hearing and playing the piano together with her grandson, Logan, watching her grandsons play soccer, basketball, & tennis, attending church services, listening to classical & spiritual music, baking, reading, gardening, sewing, Scrabble/cards, crosswords, swimming, traveling, and helping her friends, neighbors, and family. 

She will be dearly missed by her children, grandsons, family, and friends.  Her Memorial Service will be on January 15, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mark’s Catholic Church with a Rosary beforehand.  She was laid to rest at Morris Hill Cemetery near her parents on November 24, 2023.  In lieu of flowers, please make donations to NAMI of Idaho, thank you very much.