Barbara Elizabeth (West) Parag, 59, passed away suddenly after a short illness on April 2nd. Born in Burlington, Vermont, Barbara grew up as the youngest of five kids, mainly in Newark, Delaware where the family moved to when she was 6.
Barbara graduated from Glasgow High School in 1984, where she played the flute in the band and later met the love of her life, Don Parag, whom she was married to for 28 action packed years. Barbara and Don were probably the only couple ever to have his and her Hummers as well as his and her Harley’s. They lived in Wilmington but had a beach house in Bethany where they loved to jet ski, go out on their boat and celebrate at a number of beach restaurants.
Barbara excelled in a number of careers to include owning her own heavy equipment auction company in Wilmington. She was loved by customers and employees alike and she and Don threw both the best Christmas party every year. In her later years, Barbara worked at Valley Forge Casino, where again, employees and customers loved her upbeat, fun loving style.
Barbara and Don were great animal lovers and often rescued cats and dogs and could always be counted on to take in a pet who needed a good home.
She is survived by her sister MaryLou Nye and her husband Joe of Ocean View, DE; her brother Fred West and his wife Donna from Westlake, FL, and four nieces and nephews and three grand nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her sister Carol Zaborny Gilbert, her parents Fred and Louella West and her loving husband Don.
The service and funeral will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Faithful Friends Animal Society in New Castle, Delaware.
