Barbara Jean Eliason

Barbara Jean Stanovich Eliason passed away peacefully after an intense battle with lung cancer on June 26, 2025 in Spokane, WA, with her partner, Jerry, and her close friends by her side.

She was born May 25, 1949, to Frank and Marie Stanovich, joining her other siblings, Marcia and John. She was raised in Fairhaven and Happy Valley communities and attended Happy Valley Elementary School, Fairhaven Junior High, and graduated from Bellingham High in 1966. She went on to USW in Pullman and graduated in 1970 with a degree in psychology.

Barbara worked with Gormsen Plumbing after graduation and then continued on to a plumbing career with Warren Little & Lund until joining Keller Supply in 1983. She continued with Keller Supply in both inside and outside sales until 2001. After a few years off, she started working for Goldseal Mechanical from 2002 and decided it was time to retire in 2019.

In her free time, Barbara enjoyed gardening, boating, and fishing with her partner, Jerry. She was blessed with numerous deep and enduring friendships in both Spokane and Bellingham. She was a constant source of strength for family and friends.

Barbara leaves behind her partner of 38 years, Jerry DuPue, Jerry’s son, Nathan of Lynnwood, her sister, Marcia Plancich of Bellingham, nieces, Domena Plancich of Bellingham and Christy Eliason Williams from a previous marriage, nephews, Anthony Plancich, Christopher (Kristen) Plancich, and Joseph (Lynn) Plancich, all of Bellingham, her aunt, Helen Stanovich of Bellingham, and numerous cousins, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews.

Barbara was predeceased by parents, Frank and Marie Stanovich, brother, John, grandparents, Louis and Martha Simonsen, and Jakov and Katie Stanovich.

Her life was a blessing, her memory a treasure. She was loved beyond words and will be missed beyond measure.

A graveside service will be held at 2:30 PM on Friday, August 29th at Bayview Cemetery in Bellingham, WA.

A small memorial service will be held from 5:00-7:00 PM on Friday, September 5th at Valley Mission Park in Spokane Valley, WA.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Barb’s name to a local animal shelter of your choice, or to the American Cancer Society.