Barbara J.Schweigert

Barbara J. Schweigert, 63, died on Dec. 8, 2012, at Providence Horizon House in Anchorage. Eagerly waiting from above, Barbara was greeted and reunited with her precious daughter Kristy.

During the past 10 years, Barbara courageously battled malignant melanoma, along with two additional unrelated breast cancers. Throughout her journey she exhibited such grace and inexplicable bravery that was admired by all.

Barbara was born in Tacoma, Wash., on April 22, 1949, to Gordon and Louise Newton. During her early adolescent years she was raised in Tacoma, then moved south to the sunshine with her family to California’s San Fernando Valley. As a teenager, Barbara wore her candy striper uniform with honor as she volunteered at a local hospital. She graduated in 1967 from Birmingham High School in Encino, Calif.

In 1973, Barbara headed north to chase the Alaska oil pipeline boom and had been an Alaska resident for 40 years. She married her husband Myron in 1978. Barb was office administrator for Myron’s chiropractic practice for more than 20 years. She was a devoted wife, a loving and caring mother to daughters Kristy and Kimberly, as well as a preciously sweet friend to many. She loved her family and friends dearly.

Barb had the amazing gift of hospitality and loved entertaining at her lake home. She also enjoyed tending to her garden and flowers, reading, woman’s Bible study and attending classes of interest at the local UAA Mat-Su Campus. Her favorite hobby was quilting and working on Brazilian embroidery with her dear sewing friends. Barbara was also an active member and volunteer with the Anchorage Women’s Club for several years.

Despite not knowing the particular stops, byways, detours and unexpected stations she would endure with cancer, Barbara exhibited such beautiful grace and kept focused on her final destination with incomprehensible courage and unwavering faith. She had a servant’s heart and was extremely thoughtful. Even when she did not feel well, she was always compassionate, thoughtful and generously thinking of others.

Surviving are her husband of 34 years, Dr. Myron Schweigert of Wasilla; daughter, Kimberly Maciariello (Kimmy) of San Diego, Calif.; and brother, Gordon Newton of Central Point, Ore.

A memorial service is at 2 p.m., Dec. 14 at Evangelo’s in Wasilla with a reception to follow. Please enter through the double doors on the backside of the Evangelo’s building. To send flowers for the memorial service on Dec. 13, deliver them to Evengelo’s, 2530 East Parks Highway, Wasilla. Alternatively, if you would prefer to make a donation in honor of Barb to a ministry that was extremely dear to her heart, mail checks to Stephen Ministries, care of Wasilla Bible Church, 1651 West Nicola Avenue, Wasilla, AK 99654. In the “memo” line of your check, please write “Stephen Ministries.”