Barbara J. Bertonneau

Barbara J. Bertonneau (née White), age 91, passed away peacefully of natural causes on September 8, 2025 in Richland, Washington.

Barbara White was born on March 9, 1934 in Chicago, Illinois to Clarence and Magda White. Clarence moved often in pursuit of work; as a child Barbara lived in Whittier, CA; New Orleans, LA; Tucson, AZ; and Altadena, CA.

The Whites eventually settled in Covina, California, among the orange groves and dairies at the eastern fringe of a rapidly expanding Los Angeles. It was at Covina Union High School that she was swept off her feet by Gary Bertonneau. For the next 60 years, Gary and Barbara would rarely be apart.

Barbara graduated from UCLA in 1956 with a B.F.A. in interior design. By then engaged to Gary, she was eager to begin her new life - though her sweetheart was still overseas with Uncle Sam's army. Undeterred, Barbara saved enough dimes in a jar for a one-way ticket to Europe. She and Gary were married on September 8, 1956, in Wiesbaden, Germany.

The newlyweds soon returned to Southern California, where Gary pursued a career in business as three children came in quick succession: Ciel (1958), Tamora (1959) and Brian (1961). In 1967, Gary boldly volunteered to take a position as a personal assistant to the VP of Hughes Aircraft International, which entailed moving the family from Los Angeles to Paris. Barbara, Gary and their children spent the next 14 years living in France, Belgium, Italy and Kenya before returning to L.A. in 1981. Every move gave Barbara a new opportunity to apply her deft hand, design sensibilities and passion for antique treasure-hunting to beautifying her family's abode. Though they changed addresses often, Barbara's unmistakable touch made each house a home.

The couple's adventures didn't end with Gary's retirement. Their new house in Logan, Utah was still unfinished when they elected to serve a CES mission in Perth, Australia for 18 months. Upon returning, they finished their Logan house, then purchased and renovated a second home in St. George, Utah.

Gary and Barbara enjoyed hiking, gardening, and spending time in nature together until Gary passed away in 2012. Sadly, her daughter Tami also passed away quite unexpectedly in 2023. The day that Barbara died (September 8) was two years to the day that Tami died and was also the date of her wedding anniversary with Gary. A sweet reunion with her husband and daughter certainly ensued. Meanwhile, here below, Barbara is survived by her children Ciel (Reed), Brian (Beth), son-in-law Michael Hurd, sister Karen Dorame, 13 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren.

Barbara was an immensely creative person and a gifted multimedia artist. She produced hundreds of illustrations, paintings, fabric artworks, and decorated objects throughout her life, drawing inspiration from her family history and her extensive travels. Her paintings, many of which were sold to fellow Americans overseas, still hang in homes around the world. She was forever drawn to beautiful things and driven to create them; even in recent years she worked on art projects until she reached the end of her physical abilities.

Barbara will be remembered at a graveside service at the Dry Creek Cemetery in Boise, Idaho beginning at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, September 29, 2025.