Barbara Lathrop

Barbara Lathrop, born January 11th, 1955 to Walter Lathrop and Myrtle (Bester) Lathrop, died May 9th, 2026 at home surrounded by family after a long battle with COPD. Barbie lived in Whitehall as a small child before her family moved to Muskegon Heights, where she spent the majority of her youth. She hitchhiked to San Francisco and lived between California and Michigan until the birth of her son, Chris, after which she stayed in Michigan permanently. She attended Muskegon Business College and earned a degree in computer processing. Barbie had two more children, daughters Patty and Amanda. She retired from Muskegon Public Schools after nearly thirty years as their payroll chief. She enjoyed gardening, having completed her Master Gardener certification from Michigan State University, DIY house projects, old country music, crossword puzzles, sudoku puzzles, genealogy, crime shows, black coffee, and homemade angel food cake. She was a whiz with numbers, and she excelled in all her creative endeavors including sewing, crocheting, knitting, embroidery, beading, leatherwork, painting, cake decorating, and refinishing furniture. She fed stray cats, enjoyed feeding and watching the birds, and her favorite movie was It's A Wonderful Life. Barbie loved Christmas, and made the holidays magical with her elaborate decorations.

Barbara is preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Myrtle Lathrop, siblings John Lathrop, Margaret Lathrop, Helen Lathrop, Eugene Lathrop, Floyd Lathrop, Patrick Lathrop, Melvin Earl Lathrop, Gordon Lathrop, Myrtle "Dolly" Strong, Leon Lathrop, and Norman Lathrop, several sisters-in-law, and brother-in-law. She is survived by her siblings Paul Raymond Lathrop, Deanna "Dodie" Hall, Rosella Holt, and Cheryl Lathrop, children Christopher (Deborah) Halbower, Patricia O'Connor, Amanda (Paul) Pretzer, grandchildren Corinne (Gary) Roessler, Tyler Beckman, and two great grandchildren, as well as several nieces and nephews. Barbie had a small circle of friends she cherished.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to Harbor Hospice.