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~ Barb ~

Larger than Life, Kind Heart, and always Smiling

Barb was born into this world to loving parents, late William Taylor Paton, Jr. and late Lillian Doran Gray Paton in Elyria, Ohio. Being an only child, she learned early in life to surround herself with many friends and boy did she overachieve in that respect. She never met a stranger, always kind, thoughtful, generous, and would talk for hours with you if you let her. She was our “gift of gab” in the best kind of way. She always put others above self in all aspects of her life – Family, Faith, and Friends. The loving wife to late Franklin Alexander Rockwood. The mom. The grandma. The great-grandma. The Cousin. The daughter. The Reesee Mom. The neighbor. The Church member. The Homemaker. The Friend. The Charity sponsor and contributor for all things children and pets. The Faithful Volunteer. Put simply, she was our Social Butterly, Lived Life to the fullest, Heart of Gold, and Followed her Faith.

Early childhood:

She graduated high school from Elyria, Ohio, graduate of Baldwin Wallace College and a member of the Phi Mu Sorority. She was quite the athlete in her day with the grace of synchronized swimming, to lifeguarding and swimming, to pick up games of softball and baseball with the neighborhood boys and girls. It was in Elyria where she met her love of her life, Franklin, married after college, and started a family.

Barb’s Legacy lives on with her 3 daughters Jan Rockwood, Kim (Dana) Wannemacher, Karen (Brian) Lindberg, 3 granddaughters Amber (Adam) Wagner, Lauren (Kyle) Ing, Rebecca “Anne” Lindberg, 3 great grandkids with a 4th on the way, Avery Wagner, Anna Wagner, August “Auggie” Lindberg (age 2), and baby boy Lindberg. Her family was everything to her, especially later in life with the Greats/Grandkids, beloved Cocker Spaniel “Reesee Boy” and Kevin (Meredith) Lindberg, grandson. Nothing gave her more joy than spending time with them, watching them grow into the beautiful people they are today. She was always “game” for adventures whether it was trips to the Zoo, Cabin getaways to the Blue Ridge and Rocky Mountains, Indy Children’s Museum and Train Museum, kids sporting events and marching band performances, ice cream stores, candy shops, beachside in sunny Florida, and the many marathon shopping trips to treat them with something special.

Barb had many talents and interests that she enjoyed over the years. She had a beautiful, angelic soprano voice that was shared with many people through commitment and dedication. Those most notable include the Zionsville United Method Church of 50+ years, Greater Indianapolis Choral Company, First Presbyterian Church of Bonita Springs, choral group performances in Rome, Italy, and other churches in earlier years. Barb was also a true Artist in many ways. Canvas painting creations are proudly displayed throughout her home and gifted to family and friends. She also found her love of card making and became a demonstrator through Stampinup. We all looked forward to those cards around the holidays, birthdays, weddings, and other occasions. Grand daughters have cherished items created for each of their weddings “Stamped by Barb”. Golf was another loved activity for her and late husband Frank. They would travel to different courses throughout the Midwest and play with couples they knew to have fellowship and fun at many Golf Retreats. Barb was also a long-time member of the local Penny Putters Group at the Zionsville Golf course until 2023. After her beloved Frank passed on in 2007, she became a snowbird and landed in Bonita Springs, Florida where she continued her golfing legacy during the cold Indiana winter months. Worthington Country club was her happy place where the “Fun never stopped”. Her best friend of 50 years and “sister that was”, Anita Gooderum, were always planning their next adventures whether it was golf, bocce, bowling, or cross-country skiing.

Barb was a free spirit and her interests took her down some pretty fun paths. She was a proud member of the Red Hatters and thoroughly enjoyed the friendships created over the years at the various outings and activities. Barb was a hopeless romantic and “loved” her Hallmark Channel, the “Rockwood Scamper camper” Camping Adventures throughout our childhood, Baker extraordinaire, hiking, sewing, knitting, gardening, Lunch Bunch at the Legion, Book Club, Playing cards, outings with friends, travel, happy hour, party celebrations, experiences, Gucci Goodwill shopping trips, the symphony, and attending the Butler Arts Center events. Her service to the church family included many charitable activities as well - Stove Top Shufflers (meals for seniors), wedding receptions/coordinator, Christmas Bizarre, Pie sales, and mission trips to Alaska and the Appalachia regions.

In lieu of flowers please feel free to make a donation in Barbara's honor to Riley's Children Hospital of Indianapolis or the Lions Club Park of Zionsville.

Dearest Mom,

Your work here on earth is fulfilled so now it’s time to spread your Mother Eagle wings and fly, surround yourself with Love, Peace, and Joy as you journey to the Pearly gates of the Kingdom of heaven and enter in. Loved ones are there to welcome you home. You’ll be in our hearts and prayers…until we meet again.

Your Loving Daughters, Jan, Kim, and Karen