Barbara H. Aitken
October 06, 1937 - February 19, 2012
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Barbara H. Aitken
October 06, 1937 - February 19, 2012
Obituary
Barbara (Hoefflin) Aitken, 74, of Irvine, died on February 19, 2012 surrounded by the love of her family. Barbara was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, the oldest of four daughters born to John and Iris Hoefflin. Raised in Pensacola, Florida, her early years were spent on beautiful white sand beaches. In 1958, she married Donald Aitken, a U.S. Navy pilot who was training in Pensacola. After transferring to the Marine Corps, the newlyweds moved to the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station in Santa Ana, California. Don and Barbara have made their home in Irvine since 1970.
Barbara and Don raised four daughters: Diana Chandler, Trisha Johnston, Megan Aitken, and Amy Aitken. While Don worked as pilot for United Airlines, Barbara ran the “home front,” raising her four girls (and their many friends) with warmth, love, discipline and a sense of humor. Her children, and later her nine grandchildren, were the joy of her life.
Barbara was a faithful Christian and long-time member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Tustin. Her gifts included cooking, hospitality, and caring for the needs of others. She also enjoyed creating ceramic pieces, shopping, movies, classical, jazz and bluegrass music and sharing meals with her many friends. Barbara was kind and gracious to everyone she met and took great joy in spending time with old and new friends.
Barbara is survived by Don, her devoted husband of nearly 54 years; her three sisters, four daughters and their spouses, nine grandchildren, and countless friends and neighbors who brought so much light and love to her life.
A service celebrating and remembering Barbara’s life will be held on Saturday, February 25, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. at Aldersgate United Methodist Church (1201 Irvine Blvd, in Tustin). In lieu of flowers, if you would like to give a memorial gift, please send a donation to Aldersgate United Methodist Church, with a memo ‘Barbara Aitken Memorial.’ All gifts will be directed to International Child Care for the re-building of Grace Children’s Hospital in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.