Napina “Nip” Phillips Barker was born at home on Oct. 14, 1927, in America Fork, Utah. She died aged 87 peacefully at home in Port Orford, Oregon, on June 17, 2015, surrounded by her family.
Napina Ruth Constance Amelia Phillips was the ninth of 10 children born to James W. and Amelia Phillips. She attended schools in America Fork and Brigham Young University. She worked as a switchboard operator at AT&T where she rose to supervisor, before moving to Los Angeles where she was a secretary at Reynolds Metals.
In 1954 she married John Barker and they raised five children in Pacific Palisades. She was active in PTA and school activities and as a leader in Brownies and Cub Scouts, and later taught preschoolers at St. Matthew’s Parish School. She regularly baked bread and cinnamon rolls from wheat flour she milled herself, usually while singing aloud.
In 1983 Nip and John retired and built a log home in Port Orford where Nip continued her life-long practice of volunteering. She was involved with the SMART reading program for schoolchildren, helped found a book club and particularly enjoyed volunteering at the Port Orford Library.
Among the things Mom enjoyed most were her grandchildren, her garden, reading, big band swing, road trips, fine cuisine and her loyal canine companion, Joe.
She is survived by her children Mary, Don, Anne Redding, Jim and Elizabeth Foster; grandchildren Sam, Terry and Amelia Redding, and Katie, John and Anders Foster; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Donations may be made to the Port Orford Library, PO Box 130, Port Orford OR 97465.
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