Barbara Auker, 61, Altoona, went home to be with the Lord Sunday at her home after a courageous battle with breast cancer.
She was born in Altoona, daughter of Martha (Calvert) Mallam and the late John Mallam. She married Stephen J. Auker on Aug. 25, 1973, at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Altoona.
Surviving are her mother; her husband; two daughters: Julie Blas and husband, Michael, of Apex, N.C., and Carolyn Kilgore and husband, Matthew, of Wilmington, Del.; a sister, Jane Gable of Altoona; two nieces: Sara Gable and Elizabeth Gable and husband, Matthew Gavejian; a grandniece, Nora; and a grandnephew, Theo.
Barbara was a 1969 graduate of Altoona Area High School and a 1973 graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a B.S. in education. She taught business education at Altoona Area High School for 35 years before retiring in 2011. She had served as department head for eight years.
Barbara was a life member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church. She was also a member of the Women's Club and the Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees, treasurer of the Class of 1969 Reunion Committee and co-chairperson of the Backpack Project.
She enjoyed swimming in her pool, camping, visiting daily with her mother at Garvey Manor Nursing Home, watching football, reading the Altoona Mirror, Relay for Life and community outreach programs through her church.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 11, 2012, at The Good Funeral Home Inc., Alto-Reste Park Cemetery, and 10 until the 11 a.m. funeral service Friday, Oct. 12, 2012, at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Altoona.
Family and friends are invited to stay after the 8 p.m. visitation Thursday at the funeral home to share personal memories of Barbara's life.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Luke's Episcopal Church for accommodating people with disabilities.