Rest in Peace

On Saturday March 20, 2026, my Aunt and Godmother Barbara Finley-Shea passed away at the age of 70. She wasn't sick, and while she battled with anxiety and depression those were not the cause of her death. It was sudden and incredibly unexpected. It's now Wednesday and I'm still in shock. I'm still trying to process how any of this is real. And I'm trying to figure out what my life looks like, feels like, without her here.

My aunt and I had a wonderful relationship. I have fond memories of spending a few days every summer at her home. She taught me how to sew and how to make pie crusts from scratch. Some of my favorite memories involve singing with her, my mother and while she was here my grandmother, we somehow all found our perfect harmony parts. It was something really special.

She loved to go into "used-a-bit" shops and find a good deal- as any good Minnesotan does. She loved to share her finds-she kept my feet warm for years with her Fox River finds.

My aunt was a spiritual guide and support for me and hundreds of people in her career as an ELCA pastor. But I was lucky, I got her 1:1 for prayer, I had her ear whenever I needed it, she gave guidance and encouragement to me on the good days and the hard ones.

My aunt taught me how to fight for what I believe in. She was an activist and warrior for so many causes. She fought against factory farms moving into her home town, for climate change initiatives, and walked by her faith in all that she did. She was a lover of animals and helped local humane societies in their work to get dogs and cats adopted. She was an active letter writer to politicians, and wrote editorials for the paper. She would not be silenced. But she did it all with a smile on her face. Our politicians could learn from her be; be firm but kind.

If you were looking for Barb in a room, you just needed to look for someone in pink and there's a solid chance that would be her. I'm sure she owned other colors, but I don't have many memories that don't involve her wearing pink. And now for me wearing a little pink each day is a way to honor and remember her.

I keep thinking I can just pick up the phone and call her that she'll say "Oh hi Claire" in her sweet sing songy voice.

I thought I more time. She was only 70. She wasn't sick. There was no good bye. She was a constant in my life and I'm not really sure yet what life looks like without one of my biggest cheerleaders.

Rest in Peace