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Barbara Oswald Ewing, a Durango resident since 2000, died in her sleep on June 7, 2009, in Cortez, CO. She was 96. Barbara lived most of her life in the Dallas, TX, area. She moved to Albuquerque, NM, in 1987, and then to Durango where 12 family members now live. She lived at Sunshine Gardens West in Durango for three years, and then moved to the Valley Inn in Mancos, CO. She was born Felithia Barbara Oswald on February 7, 1913, to Ida Mae (Harris) Oswald and Earnest Edwin Oswald, in Dallas, TX. She studied voice and education at North Texas State Teachers College, now North Texas University, and gave solo recitals in Dallas and Denton, TX. She performed professionally as a mezzo-soprano at numerous public ceremonies and on live radio. On September 4, 1934, she married Ira Dale Ewing. They were married 63 years until his death in 1997. She was an avid golfer from her teens. She sank her third hole-in-one at the age of 77. She won many golf trophies, her last at the "Ace of Aces" city putting tournament in Albuquerque at the age of 83, with her broken left foot in a cast. As a young woman Barbara was a formidable poker player, and was much in demand as a bridge partner. She hosted several literary book clubs, and was a voracious reader. Barbara and Ira took vacations in Las Vegas, NV, each year when Johnny Carson was performing there, and continued their vacations playing the horses at Hollywood Park in CA. She took up serious fishing in the 1960's, after they moved to Lake Texoma. She took her small boat out early in the mornings, usually with a professional guide, and often returned with more than 100 fish. She loved boating on Lake Texoma in their cruisers and houseboat. She enjoyed her last boat ride on Lake Vallecito at age 94. Her daughter-in-law, Judy Ewing, MD, says, "Barbara was my idol: direct, honest, capable, and delightful, the person I would most want to be like. When we first met, I tried to keep up with her regular workout at her health spa and it nearly killed me. And I thought I was in good shape. I saw her catch her first fish, a five-pound catfish." Her son, Ron, relates "When I turned 50 (which she considered much too old to be her son), Mom would introduce me as "Ira's son by his first wife," which was true, since she was his first and only wife." When asked where her progeny got their brains, she replied "must be from Ira, since I still have mine." At 90, Barbara could spot a V-Rod Harley a block away at the Durango motorcycle rallies, and always told the owner "if I were five years younger, I'd have one of those." She fulfilled a long-time wish with her first motorcycle ride at 92. She was preceded in death by her husband; and her older sister, Marjorie Hulsey. She is survived by her children, Ronald Ewing and wife Judy of Durango; Dale Ewing Ash and husband Jim of Dallas; and Adrienne Ewing-Meyer and husband Richard Meyer of Santa Fe, NM. Her Durango family includes three of her six grandchildren, Amy Moody, CPA, a Fort Lewis College graduate and financial officer with the Southern Ute Tribe; Megan Lewis, MD, a Family Practitioner; and Guy Ewing, an IT manager and business computer expert. Her granddaughter Anna Odom and her family live in the Moriarty, NM, area. Grandson James Ira Knott and his family live in Fort Worth, TX. Granddaughter Angela Knott-Fryer and her family live in England. Four of her 13 great-grandchildren live in Durango. They are Kira and Rainey Ewing, and Evelyn and Weston Lewis. Barbara's great-great-granddaughter Angela lives in Albuquerque, NM, with great-granddaughter Jazmyn Foster and her husband Brian. Her faith in God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Bible sustained her throughout her life. She was an active volunteer in church and community. In Albuquerque she attended Hillside Community Church, where she formed a close relationship with professional entertainer Linda Cotton. When her family visited her at the Valley Inn, the staff would always comment on her cheery disposition. Despite being confined to a wheelchair by a stroke since 2004, she maintained that she was "happy, feeling good, and in the right place." Cremation has occurred. Small private family services are in progress.
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