Barbara L Bath

MIDDLETON - Barbara Louise (Fox) Bath, age 86, entered eternal life on Thursday, October 17, 2024, with family by her side at Maplewood Sauk Prairie. Born in Cleveland, Ohio on June 24, 1938, she was the cherished daughter of Robert and Elinor (Alber) Fox. She graduated from St. Augustine Academy in 1956, with first honors, was co-editor of The Augustine Shield, and participated in Quill and Scroll, Girls Athletic Association, and Intramurals. Her quote in the yearbook, "The highest wisdom is continual cheerfulness."

On June 7, 1958, she was married to Richard Bath, and she devoted herself to raising their four children. Always an excellent student, when her children got older, she returned to school and pursued a bachelor’s degree from Rider College (now Rider University) majoring in accounting. She graduated in 1977, summa cum laude.

Barbara became a business co-owner with her husband in 1982, when they opened an apparel manufacturing company in Malden, Mo., where she assumed the role of office manager. They settled in Dexter, Mo. and were active in their community, notably supporting the Bootheel Youth Museum.

Along with her family, Barbara's Catholic faith was always at the heart of her life, and she was an active member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Dexter. After her husband's passing, she joined a lay Catholic group of ladies, the Daughters of St. Francis de Sales. She made her consecration on January 24, 2009, and maintained close relationships with her spiritual sisters until her passing.

Barbara moved in 2018 to the All Saints Community in Madison, Wis. The friendships she forged there were truly some of her most treasured. Known as BB, she was a valued member of the team on trivia nights and was often invited to play bridge. Barbara had an especially close connection to the group that faithfully prayed the Holy Rosary in the chapel each day.

Her beautiful life will forever be cherished in the lives of her four children, Mary (Hance) Jaquett of Seaville, N.J., Ellie (Steve) Miller of Menomonee Falls, Wis., Margie (Marc) Watson of Prairie du Sac, Wis., and Rich (Sandra) Bath of Lee’s Summit, Mo. She was also treasured as a beloved Nana to her 10 grandchildren, Katie (Cody James) Corbett, Ken (Kiley) Miller, Caroline Jaquett (Ryan Morris), Elise (Peter) Matenaer, Kristen (Aaron) Corkins, Andrew (Sangeetha) Watson, Joseph (Kye) Watson, Henry Watson, Daniel Watson and Julia Bath; and also to her seven great-grandchildren, Genevieve, Sebastian, Sylvie, Dominic, Juliet, Valerie, Sophie and another great-grandchild due in December. She will be lovingly remembered by her sisters-in-law, Mary Jane (Frank) Mucklo of Arizona and Adele Bath of New Jersey; and nephews, Raymond and Chris Bath, and Matthew Mucklo; as well as many dear friends.

Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, Richard; her parents, Robert and Elinor Fox; her father and mother-in-law, Herman and Margaret Bath; and her brother-in-law, Raymond Bath.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. MARIA GORETTI CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5313 Flad Ave., Madison, at 11 a.m. on Friday, October 25, 2024, with Monsignor Kevin Holmes presiding. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON WEST FUNERAL AND CREMATIION CARE, 7435 University Ave., Middleton, from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. on Thursday, October 24, 2024, and also at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Friday.
 

Interment will be held in Bloomfield Veterans Cemetery, in Bloomfield, Mo. Arrangements in Missouri are being handled by the Mathis Funeral Home, Dexter, Mo. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to the caring staff at Maplewood Sauk Prairie, and to St. Croix HospiceCare. We also gratefully thank the priests of The Society of Jesus Christ the Priest, for their spiritual care during our mother’s illness and last days.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to the All Saints Community Chapel, 511 Commerce Dr., Madison, WI 53719, are appreciated.

“The measure of love is to love without measure.” - St. Francis de Sales

Gunderson West
Funeral & Cremation Care
7435 University Ave.
(608) 831-6761