Obituary: Barbara Frances Strickland Bailey, 84, The Dalles
Barbara Frances Strickland Bailey (84), of The Dalles, Oregon, died on Mother’s Day, May 10, 2026, at her home.
She was born in 1941, to Rex Strickland and Lorena Matthews Strickland in Seattle, Washington. Barbara grew up on Magnolia in Seattle before moving to Edmonds, Washington where she attended high school, trained her Appaloosa horse “Palouse”, and water skied on Puget Sound. Although she spent her freshman year of college at Washington State University, she graduated from University of Puget Sound where she was a member of the Alpha Phi Sorority.
She met her future husband on a blind date, and made him wait for her while her father made sure he was acceptable. She married Bob Bailey in 1963. She moved to her husband’s cherry farm in The Dalles, Oregon and had two children, Brenda Frances and Bridget Suzanne.
Barbara was married for 62 years, and lived a life centered around farming, traveling, and trying to make the world a better place. Her work was as varied as teaching 6th graders at Dry Hollow Elementary, and later, serving as President of her family real estate business. Barbara’s advocacy as a “Concerned Citizen” resulted in the relocation of a planned Zirconium plant away from the Columbia River Gorge. She also testified before Congress to create the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Later, Governor Roberts appointed Barbara to serve on the initial Columbia River Gorge Commission. She beautified her community as a Master Gardner, and by creating a public green space along Mill Creek, where the Fort Dalles US Army horses were tethered and cared for.
Barbara backpacked in the Wallowa Mountains and the Three Sisters Wilderness. She trekked the Himalayas with her brother Tom, guided by her friend Tenzing Norgay. She purchased a beach house on the Oregon coast and lovingly renovated it to share with friends and family. She studied dressage, Italian cooking, and gardening techniques in Britain and France. She loved all animals, and especially her corgis.
Barbara is survived by her husband Bob (The Dalles, Oregon), daughters Brenda (Thomas) and Bridget (Nisley Bailey), son-in laws Sterling Thomas (The Dalles Oregon), Eric Nisley (Madras, Oregon), grandson Augustus Thomas (Chicago, Illinois), grand-daughter Elizabeth Nisley Bailey (San Francisco, California), sister Nancy (Port Townsend, Washington) and brother Tom (Edmonds, Washington). She was preceded in death by her sister Lorena. Memorials or donations may be made to Friends of the Columbia Gorge or Columbia Gorge Humane Society.
Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral home in care of arrangements.
