Barbara Paddy

Barbara Cecile Paddy (formerly Carter) was born in Falls City, Nebraska on July 26, 1930. She was the youngest child of Keith and Kathleen Carter (Carey) and was born at home. A graduate of Chillicothe Business School, once the largest business college in America, Barbara moved to Detroit and worked as an executive secretary at General Motors. Not long after moving to Detroit Barbara met her husband, Robert Henry Paddy. They enjoyed a whirlwind romance and eloped in Bowling Green, Ohio when Bob was required to report to Great Lakes Naval Base for basic training. 

Barbara devoted her early adult years to raising her five children. She was very active in the Girl Scouts and was a Deacon at the family church, Dearborn Woods Presbyterian. When returning to the workforce, Barbara worked in administration and billing for an OBGYN practice. She and Bob retired to the South Shore of Hubbard Lake, near Spruce, Michigan, in the autumn of 1991. They enjoyed a lakefront home that many of their children had returned to Michigan to help build. 

Barbara spent her retirement years working with R.E.A.D. Adult Literacy, forming book and investment clubs, volunteering at the Hubbard Lake Sportsman Club, teaching vacation bible school, learning the art of stained glass, sewing items to help the local churches and much more. During the pandemic, Barbara moved from Hubbard Lake to Oceanside, California. 

Barbara was preceded in death by her husband (Robert Henry Paddy), her parents, (Edward Keith Carter, Kathleen Carey), her brothers, (Edward Keith Jr. & George Richard) and her sister, (Nancy Ann). She is survived by her five children, Michael Robert, Kathleen Susan, Bruce Edward (Alice), Thomas Richard, and Tracy Louise; eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. 

A funeral will be held in the spring of 2025 at the Spruce Presbyterian Church in Spruce, Michigan. Further details to come. In lieu of flowers, a donation to Boys Town (www.boystown.org) or the American Cancer Society in her name would be welcomed.