Barbara Ruth Collins Shoemaker Corbin
February 7, 1932 ~ July 20, 2012
Our dear, sweet mother, grandmother, and friend passed away on July 20, 2012 after a long courageous struggle with chronic restrictive lung disease caused by severe scoliosis.
Barbara was born February 7, 1932 in Tampa, FL to Clyce Bernard Collins and Mary Ruth McClure. She always said that she must have “broke the mold” because there were no more children after her. It was hard and lonely to grow up as an “only child”.
She grew up surrounded by a good group of friends that got the nickname “The North Street Gang.” Barbara sang, played the flute and learned to play the piano at a young age, which proved to be a blessing to her and others the rest of her life.
After high school, Barbara went to the University of South Florida, where she met and married a football player named James desRosiers.
To this union were born two sons, Leon “Pete” Thomas desRosiers and Michael Bernard desRosiers. The marriage didn’t last and Barbara soon found herself struggling to support her boys as a single parent. She worked at many jobs such as ticket taker for the movies and “soda jerk” serving soda and ice cream. She became a bookkeeper for several businesses, which is the career she did for over 20 years. She was constantly learning.
On February 21, 1959 Barbara married the love of her life, Daniel Shoemaker Jr. To this union was born two more children, Duane Frederick Shoemaker and Cyndi Lyn Shoemaker.
Barbara and Dan joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1966, which changed their life forever.
They moved to Denver, CO in 1968. In June of 1968, Dan and Barbara were sealed together in the Salt Lake Temple.
Dan was transferred to Huntington Beach, CA in 1972.
Barbara struggled with many health issues for years requiring her to have several major surgeries. She never complained, but carried on loving life and being the “forever optimist”. Her smile never waned.
She loved people, good music, books, playing games, and laughing. She taught piano for many years and enjoyed every student!
In 1977, she and Dan packed up their family and moved to Monticello, UT. Barbara worked at First Security Bank for several years. They moved back to Tampa in 1983 and then returned to Monticello in 1990. Barbara taught computers at Monticello Elementary and truly loved “her kids”.
She loved spending time enjoying nature and felt blessed to live here among so many wonderful people. Barbara loved the gospel and enjoyed working in the Primary, Relief Society and with the youth.
Dan passed away in 1994. Six years later, Barbara met and married E.P. “Bud” Corbin. They were blessed to serve a mission together in Martin’s Cove in Wyoming. This was a dream come true for Barbara and she loved every minute of it. She and Bud had the opportunity to travel which she also enjoyed. Bud passed away in 2009.
Her greatest joy was her family. Each one felt like they were her favorite!
Barbara is survived by her children Pete desRosiers of Phoenix, AZ, Michael (Bonnie) desRosiers of Monticello, UT, Duane (Teri) Shoemaker of Delaware, OH, and Cyndi (Kim) Burtenshaw of Monticello, 14 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren.
She is preceeded in death by her husbands, Dan and Bud, her parents and a half brother, Benny Collins.
Card of thanks
We would like to thank the many acts of kindness and love showed to Mom over the years, especially the last few months. We especially thank everyone at Rocky Mountain Hospice, particularly Alexis Laud, who brought such comfort and support to Mom and our family. What a wonderful service they render! Thanks to Lincare & Peterson Medical for their help with her supplies. Thank you to all the doctors over the years who tried hard to ease her pain. Mom’s motto, if you asked her how she was doing, became; “I’m happy! Thank You!” Someone once said you shouldn’t mourn the time you lost, but celebrate the time you had. Thanks Mom—til we meet again!
Pete desRosiers & family
Mike & Bonnie desRosiers & family
Duane & Teri Shoemaker & family
Cyndi & Kim Burtenshaw & family