Barbara 'B' Bradford Fenchak, 79

Barbara Kay Bradford Fenchak, better known as “B” or “Barb” to her family and friends, went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026, surrounded by her family in Seattle, where she was pursuing treatment for lung cancer. 

Filled with kindness and God’s love, B’s greatest passions were her children, being a grandma, creating art, and serving others through the ministry of Community Kitchen — Feeding the Flathead.

Born in Dayton, Ohio, to parents Martha (Ellen) and David Bradford, B always stood up for what she believed was right and was a friend to all. B always had a passion for art which would eventually inspire her to attend Ohio State University in pursuit of a fine art degree. During that time, B met the father of her much-loved eldest son, Joel “Jake” Jacobs, and welcomed the blessing of her firstborn child Jake. In 1984, she welcomed her beloved son Jay into the world and her cherished daughter, Ruthy, was born in 1988. B had a habit of “adopting” many children, welcoming them into her family without the ties of blood or legal paperwork.

B lived in too many places throughout her life to list them all, but made friends quickly no matter where she found herself and eventually planted her roots in Montana. She had numerous jobs over the years of her life, the most important being grandma. A gifted artist who painted with oils, acrylics, and watercolors as well as enjoyed drawing with pastels, B always maintained her passion for art and shared this by creating with her children and grandchildren. She deeply appreciated reading, her favorites being “love inspired” contemporary Christian romance novels or studying the Bible. B loved live music and dancing, often listening to her son Jay play live music solo or with bands.

B was so full of love for the world she never met a stranger — just a friend she had not made yet.

B is survived by her husband, James; her son Jake and his wife Michelle; her son, Jay and his wife Teal; her daughter, Ruthy and her partner, Albert; her “adopted” children, Lori Thompson, Devin and his wife, Mickelle Fox, and Aaron Hove; her grandchildren, Aaron, Danielle, Harper, Joshua, Nikayla, and Dawsyn; her great-grandchildren Violet, Colton, Parker, Sebastian, Colter, and Dean, as well as many beloved friends.

A funeral with reception to follow will be on Saturday, Nov. 21, at 10:30 a.m. in Adventure Church at 348 Second Ave. W., Kalispell. For those who are unable to attend the funeral, a celebration of life will follow in the spring of 2027 with details to be announced later.

In lieu of flowers, please follow what Jesus said was the second greatest commandment, in Mark 12:31: “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” If so desired, please donate to Community Kitchen — Feeding the Flathead. Checks may be mailed to them at P.O. box 3166, Kalispell, MT, 59903, or you may donate through their website at communitykitchen-feedingtheflatheadinc.com.