Barbara Maxfield-Tharp-Maurer

The fig-tree forms its early fruit; the blossoming vines spread their fragrance. Arise, come, my darling; my beautiful one, come with me. Song of Songs.

“Mom encouraged and loved all of us exactly how we needed it. She was a soft place to land where we all feel so welcomed and seen.”

“Barbara is My Hero!” Is a common sentiment from anyone who knew her.

Barbara Maxfield-Tharp-Maurer was a mother to all — to her three children, Arnie, Jim, and Anne, and to her beloved granddaughter, Emilee — as well as to the many others who were fortunate enough to find a place at her table. There was always room, always warmth, and always love. Barbara spoke often of how many children she had been able to help influence and raise. She loved children and spent many years teaching Sunday School, working in classrooms and going on field trips. The value of having an open door and expanding one's table to allow for others is one of many life lessons that Barbara lived by example.

Barbara would never allow the word "hate" to be used at home. She always said "We may have a dislike for something but we do not hate anything." Yet another value passed along to those around her.

A proud Boise native, Barbara spent nearly all of her 95 years in the city she loved. In her early years, she worked as a switchboard operator at the telephone company — connecting calls long before the days of cell phones (the building still stands in downtown Boise). She outlived her siblings and many lifelong friends some by many decades -- carrying their memories and love through the decades. Later in life, she delighted in the comforts of modern technology — from her smartphone to central air conditioning and heated car seats — the only person in her immediate family to experience such modern conveniences.

Barbara was a woman of faith — strong, resilient, and steadfast. During a horrific and difficult period of time earlier in her life she often remarked in recent years that "It was then and there that I decided that a bad situation was not going to get the best of me.....I was going to rise above the terrible things that were happening to me." This value of resilience was probably her Number One most powerful learning moment passed along to others. Her faith was action-driven. She believed in helping others regularly, volunteering often, saying "yes" to every opportunity that came her way if it was going to assist someone else. She believed in being nice to others, keeping a positive attitude, and filling her days with good -- for herself, her family, and for others. Others were drawn to Barbara -- easy to be around, kind, polite and fun.

Barbara married Lewis “Lew” Tharp in 1959, and together they built a loving home filled with laughter, family, and friendship until Lew’s passing from Lou Gehrig's Disease in 1994. Later, Barbara reconnected with Theobald “Ted” Maurer — a long-lost friend she hadn’t seen in more than 50 years. Their reunion blossomed into a beautiful second chapter when they married on Valentine's Day 1998. Barbara moved to Florida with Ted and was welcomed into his family and friends. They remain a dear part of our extended family today. Ted and Barbara shared many cherished years together before Ted’s passing in 2021.

During the Covid years, the family began having Sunday Suppers. These continued nearly every Sunday until just recently. They were always a source of fun and amusement on social media as many kept an eye out for the next week's menu! Barbara always kept a good sense of humor -- always laughing, sometimes until tears ran down her face. She never lost that.

Barbara is survived by her son Arnie Tharp and his husband Blair; her son Jim Tharp and his wife Karen and their two sons, Daniel and Jacob; and her daughter Anne Tharp and her daughter Emilee. Her family has one desire as we move forward from this period of time -- that the many values and lessons that Barbara led by her personal example will be a part of our own lives and passed along to others around us. As Barbara leaves us in person, may we all remind ourselves daily of these lessons and pass them along to those around us.

Strong -- Tough -- Resilient -- Kindness -- Grace -- Love for Others