Barbara Mansfield, a guidance councilor at Whitefish High School, was born in Glasgow. When she was four her family moved to Havre where she attended grade and high school and graduated from Montana State University-Northern with a degree in education.

Her first teaching job was at Geyser where she met and married Michael, a fellow teacher and fellow Montanan from Great Falls. After marriage and two years in Geyser they went to Jordan where they spent 18 years, she teaching science and he teaching math.

With the advent of the “Freemen” their town and their lifestyles changed. They decided it was time to seek a more tranquil area. Being acquainted with Whitefish through high school competitions and from visiting relatives in the area, selecting a new home was a no-brainer. They packed up and came here in 1997. Barbara opted for a position as guidance counselor, and Michael chose Safeway stores. They have one daughter, Erin, who currently lives in North Carolina.

Barbara was raised in a volunteering environment. She looks forward to retirement so that she can add to her volunteerism. In her list of additional things to do are working with veterans, animals and kids.

Although she is involved in many programs, central to her volunteerism is the Whitefish Soroptomist Club, where she has held offices, including president and works in the Thrift Haus, books for kids, and scholarships. Either now, or in the past, she has worked with Girl Scouts, was a scout leader, and volunteers at United Way.

She professes to be non-athletic but enjoys family get-togethers, travel, music, reading, sewing, knitting, ceramic work and other homemaker activities.

When asked about Whitefish her answer was, “Oh! It’s fantastic.” She goes on to say that many people say that “for a small town” we have many amenities, but she believes that our culture rivals that of the largest cities, and that “you couldn’t find a better place.” She volunteers because of a deep seated desire to help others which can be partially satisfied by “giving back.”

Barbara, when asked about you, the usual response is, “Oh, she’s nice.” Your exuberance and obvious desire to help is contagious. You have made our community a better place, and we thank you.

— Jake Heckathorn