Obituary of Barbara Ann Kirkman

Barbara Ann Kirkman, 68, passed from this life on July 14, 2004, in San Diego, California. Born January 20, 1936 in Fall River, Massachusetts to Joseph Martin, an immigrant from Saint Miguels, The Azores, Portugal, and Margaret (Flynn) Martin, an immigrant from Ireland. She was the seventh of ten children, with six sisters and three brothers. Raised in Fall River, Massachusetts, she married Earl Laverne (Jack) Kirkman, of Lawrence County, Indiana, in May 1957, who was serving with the U.S. Navy at the time. Barbara and Earl returned to live in Indiana following Earls retirement, eventually settling in Bedford in 1973. Barbara is survived by six children; three sons, Charles Kirkman, Joseph Kirkman, and John Kirkman of Bedford, and three daughters, Mrs. Robert (Kathleen) Dalton of San Diego, California, Mrs. Joseph (Karen) Parker of Vienna, Georgia, and Mrs. Michael (Carla) Hudson of Norman, Oklahoma, as well as fifteen grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Earl, in May 1987, her son, Kurtis, in September 1980, and three brothers and three sisters. An independent woman, Barbara was strong-willed and would, using her own words, Say it as she saw it. Blessed with a heart of gold, she was always supportive of her friends and loved ones until the very end, never refusing a request for help. It is this kindness, for which she will especially be remembered. She was an avid sports fan, and imparted her enthusiasm to her children. Barbara cheered the loudest for the Chicago Cubs and the Boston Red Sox baseball teams. A World Series title for either team during her lifetime would have been her Heaven on Earth. She also loved to travel, which she did often with her husband before he passed away, wintering in Arizona with the other snowbirds, or hanging with her daughters in Florida, Oklahoma and Arizona. Funeral Information A memorial service will be held Wednesday, July 28, 2004 at 3:00 pm at Day & Carter Mortuary. She will be laid to rest alongside her husband, Earl, and her son, Kurtis, at Green Hill Cemetery following the memorial service. Friends may call from 2:00 pm until 3:00 pm on Wednesday at the Day & Carter Mortuary.