Barbara Baldivia Flores
Barbara was born in Fort Lupton, Colorado to Refugio and Rose Baldivia and was the oldest of four siblings. Barbara discovered the third time was definitely a charm, when she met and married the love of her life, Alfredo Flores, twenty-five years ago.
Barbara was raised in Denver, graduating from East High School. She was an accomplished Mexican dancer and earned a black belt in Karate. She worked for the Department of Defense in the Finance and Accounting Services (DFAS), achieving one of the highest pay grade levels for a minority female and retired after 33 years of service. She was the first Hispanic female to be elected President of the Air Force Association (AFA). Even after retirement she stayed active with DFAS and the AFA.
Barbara enjoyed so many things and was so passionate about everything. She loved reading non-fiction books; politics; playing poker with her family; Bunco with the ladies; skydiving; dancing; music, especially Mariachis; and overall her family. She involved herself in political campaigns and loved the political process. She was proud of her Mexican heritage and embraced the calls for social justice and equality, participating in peaceful protests and calls for change. She spent several years after retirement volunteering for various organizations, specifically dealing with abused and neglected children.
Family was the most important thing to Barbara. She would spend as much time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren as she could--they brought her so much joy. She loved her children and gave them the best life possible. Her husband, Alfredo, was ultimately her world. Not a day went by that she wouldn’t light up when she talked about him and the love they had for each other. Barbara loved fashion and dancing, which went hand in hand. You could always find Barbara dancing, in her high heels, either in the clubs or in the kitchen.
Barbara did not fear death and embraced what the Lord had in store for her. Barbara is survived by her husband of 25 years and the love of her life, Alfredo Flores; her sons, Chuck and Joe; her grandchildren, Barbie and Manuel; her great-grandchildren, Melody, Rose, and Liberty; as well as other grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by both her parents; her brother, Rufus; and her daughter, Paula.
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