Barbara Waggoner Obituary

Barbara Fisher Ashton Waggoner

Barbara Fisher Ashton Waggoner passed peacefully at her home in Lawrence on February 22, 2015, at the age of 94. She was the widow of the late George R. Waggoner, former Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Kansas, and widow of Thomas Edward Ashton, Jr., formerly of Kansas City and Cleveland, Ohio. Barbara attended the University of New Mexico, graduated from Ohio University, and earned a Master of Journalism at the University of Kansas. While living in Kansas City in the 50s and 60s, Barbara served as the president of the League of Voters, was an active member in Great Books and the Carolyn B. Cockefair discussion group. She was the Director of Continuing Education at the University of Missouri at Kansas City from 1956 until 1962.

Upon marrying George R. Waggoner in 1962, she moved to Lawrence and became an active supporter of higher education, study abroad and international programs, and was an Adjunct Lecturer and Research Associate in Latin American Studies. She and George wrote numerous scholarly books and articles and traveled extensively, often working with universities in Latin America. Active in the Old West Lawrence Association, Barbara was an advocate for historic preservation in Lawrence, receiving the Pearl Clark Award in 1988. With a clear vision and in collaboration with a small group of passionate residents, she focused major efforts on saving and preserving downtown Lawrence during the 70s-90s. She served as a volunteer on the board of the Watkins Museum of History and also drove for Meals on Wheels. Her curiosity, humor, dedication to social justice, love of life and passion for learning inspired so many to make the most of their "time and talents." She will be missed.

Barbara is survived by Thomas Edward Ashton, III, Bellingham, Washington; L. Jennifer Ashton-Lilo, Denver, Colorado; Jane Waggoner Deschner, Billings, Montana; Sarah Waggoner Hoffman, Lawrence, Kansas; and the late Margaret Waggoner Kobler. She had 8 grandchildren and 12 great grand-children.

A memorial celebration will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in the name of Barbara Ashton Waggoner may be made to the Center for Latin American Studies, University of Kansas, c/o KU Endowment, P.O. Box 928, Lawrence, KS 66044-0928.

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