Barbara Jean (Riddle) Colpaert

Barbara Jean (Riddle) Colpaert was born on June 3, 1944, in Monroe, Michigan. She passed away on April 1, 2025, under the care of Heartland Hospice at Alice Lorraine Care Center in Monroe. Barbara married Ronald Colpaert in 1967 at Monroe First Presbyterian Church, with Reverend Markham officiating. Together, they had two children: Brian (Elizabeth) Colpaert and Jennifer (Aaron) Jensen, and three grandchildren: Bryce Colpaert, Cam Bacarella, and Cait Bacarella. Barbara graduated from Monroe High School in 1962 and went on to earn a secretarial degree from Cleary College in 1964. She worked as an Executive Secretary for Weis Manufacturing and Monroe Steel Casting. After her children were born, she became a stay-at-home mom, dedicating herself to raising them. In 1985, Barbara began working for Monroe Public Schools, where she held many roles. Her favorite was serving as the Main Office Secretary at Monroe Middle School until her retirement in 2006. She cherished the relationships she built during this time and considered her colleagues some of her dearest friends. Barbara was a loving wife, daughter, sister, aunt, mother, and her favorite title—Grandma. She could often be found at the ball field, tennis court, soccer field, or in the stadium bleachers, cheering on her grandchildren in all their activities. She was their biggest fan and made sure her life revolved around their schedules. Barbara also loved to travel to new places, though her favorite annual vacations were in Tennessee. She enjoyed all the seasons, but especially loved the blooming flowers, the changing colors of the leaves, and Christmas morning. Her smile and cheerful demeanor were contagious, and she was deeply loved by all who knew her. Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, James and Clara (Chambers) Riddle; her brother Ronald and sister-in-law Marie Riddle; her sister Linda and her husband John Sisco; her father and mother-in-law, Frederick and Mary Harman Colpaert; her sister-in-law RuthAnn Patton; and her brother-in-law Donald Colpaert and his wife Carol. She is survived by her brother, Dale, and sister-in-law, Betty; her children, Brian and Jennifer; her grandchildren, Bryce, Cam, and Cait; her brother-in-law, Terry; and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held on Monday, April 7, 2025, beginning at 3:00 pm, at Bacarella Funeral Home, 1201 S. Telegraph Rd., Monroe, Michigan, 48161, where funeral services celebrating Barbara’s life will begin that evening at 7:00 pm. Private interment services for Barbara and her husband Ron will be held at Roselawn Memorial Park. Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Online condolences and special memories may be shared with the family by visiting the obituary page at www.bacarellafuneralhome.com.

Barbara Jean (Riddle) Colpaert

June 3, 1944 - April 1, 2025