Barbara Proctor, 75

Barbara Frances Proctor, 75, of Columbia Falls, passed away on Jan. 23, 2026, after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born on Feb. 9, 1950, in La Junta, Colorado.

This incredible force, known as Barbie to her family and Barb to her lifelong friends, was born in La Junta Hospital to Elsie Elizabeth Weybright and Lester David "Pappy" Proctor. She was raised in Rocky Ford, Colorado (the melon capital of the world). She was the youngest sibling to Mac Proctor (deceased), Margie Jackson (an adopted cousin whom Barbie adored), and Judith Babcock (a loving older sister whom Barbie emulated).

The day she was born, Pappy wore a new pink shirt up and down Main Street in Rocky Ford to proudly announce his newborn daughter’s arrival. Barbie was the apple of Pappy’s eye.

Elsie doted on Barbie, sewing her dance costumes and dresses for every occasion. Costumes became a hallmark of Barbie’s life, as she loved to dress up for special affairs whenever possible.

Barbie was rarely still, and in her younger years, she danced ballet, tap and toe-tap. She was also a musician, and her love of music carried her all the way to becoming her high school’s drum majorette. She graduated from Rocky Ford High School (go Meloneers!) before dipping her toe into college at the University of Colorado. Despite being incredibly smart and witty, Barbie found her passion lay outside of the classroom, so she left college to pursue what the world had in store for her.

As it turns out, the world had several things in store for Barbie, including an enthusiasm for collecting antiques, a gift for all things culinary, and a green thumb that allowed her to be identified as a Master Gardener. She loved to cook and entertain whenever possible, and her gardens were her pride and joy.

The world also had husbands in store for her. First, there was Jerry Grause, then Steven Leppa, and finally Norman "Garth" Edge. She continued to search for the perfect companion throughout the remainder of her life.

Barb really found her home in life when she moved to Columbia Falls in the late 1980s. That is where she met and made her best friends for life, and where she became entrenched in a community she adored. Barb was very civic-minded (and recruited others) in every project she could identify that would help make Columbia Falls the special place it is today.  

During her Columbia Falls years, Barb was fun and adventurous. She loved to entertain with her own dinner parties (no one was allowed to help), kept a beautiful garden, and was well known to the business community and the town people through her work selling advertising for the Hungry Horse News and the Daily Inter Lake. She helped organize and host numerous occasions, including the Christmas parties, where she could be found dressed as Santa Claus, an elf, or even the Grinch, all the way down to her thematic fingernails. 

Barb’s civic spirit shone through her work with the Lions Club, where she dreamed up a whimsical regatta party that sent handmade boats sailing down the river for charity. She personally crafted each wooden boat and sold tickets for the event. Turning a simple idea into a beloved community tradition that lasted for many years.

Barb and her dear friend, Lorri (Thomas), also created a huge buzz for Heritage Days. They dressed up as the Keystone Cops and sold buttons to support yet another community cause. She was notorious for dressing up as the lion and swinging her tail with memorable swagger. Another campaign Barb was extremely proud of was her efforts spearheading the Columbia Falls’ Christmas Décor Project, which is still admired today. She encouraged businesses to donate to the cause and raised enough money to purchase decorations that are hung on poles along Nucleus Avenue and Ninth Street every year. 

Barb had two four-legged friends whom she loved and cherished: Zoey, her specially dressed tuxedo cat feline mate, and Zeus, her Great Dane protector and companion. You could find Barb with Zeus dressed up in his lit-up vest at the Night of Lights parade, or even strolling through the grocery store in his personalized Carhartt "Zeus" attire.

Barbie was preceded in death by her brother, Frank McElroy "Mac" Proctor of Alberta, Canada. 

She is survived by her sister, Margie Jackson, her sister, Judith "Judy" Sharon Proctor Babcock and Judy’s husband, the honorable Lewis T. Babcock, all of Colorado.  

A special thanks to all who helped take care of Barbie as she battled Stage IV cancer during the past three years, including Nicki, Lisa, Lorri, Faith, Dean, Katherine, Carmen and the wonderful people at the Beehive.  

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to The Montana Great Dane Rescue in Barb’s name.