Barbara Bate Girard

Barbara Bate Girard passed away on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at the age of 76. She is survived by her husband Paul “Skip” Girard, step-son Paul K Girard, III, step-daughters, Sheridan Girard Bromerich, Aimee (Mike) O’Donnell, Alyson (Nile) Dusdieker and 7 grandchildren, Addy Rose Bromerich, Erika Girard, Amelie Girard, Aiden O’Donnell, Aubree O’Donnell, Nile Oscar Dusdieker and Thomas Michael Dusdieker. She is also survived by two brothers Stan (Lora) Bate, Bill (Sandy) Bate and a sister Cindi Bate (Ken) Wall and many nephews/nieces, grand nephews/nieces and 3 great grand nephews/nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents, Delmar & Pearl Bate, sister Virginia Bate Divine and brother Dan Bate.

Barbara was born at St Alphonsus Hospital in Boise, Idaho on January 15, 1950, being the 2nd of 6 children born to Delmar & Pearl Bate. She grew up in rural Northwest Boise where she attended Pierce Park Elementary, Hillside Jr High, Capital High School and graduated from Mountain Home High School in 1969. She was active in girl scouts, 4-H club, church youth group, Capital High Choir and Drill Team.

After high school she moved out of state living in Missouri, Texas, Louisiana, California, Colorado, Michigan and finally returning to Boise in 2011. She received an Associates Degree in Accounting from Community College of Denver. After receiving her degree she was hired by a Denver construction company and she became a member of the National Association of Women in Construction. Barbara’s first jobs were babysitting, as she loved children. She had various jobs over the years from waitressing, office manager, dog groomer, accounting manager and her last was at Risen Christ Catholic Church which she enjoyed immensely.

In the early 1990’s she left Denver and moved to Michigan. After moving she decided to get an AKC registered Boston Terrier from her grandparents, Harry & Cleo Lentz. So in her spare time, she began raising and showing AKC Boston Terrier dogs, along with being a handler for other AKC show dogs. She was proud to have had the opportunity to show a dog at the Westminster Kennel Club Show in New York City. She loved working with the dogs.

While living in Michigan, a friend introduced her to Skip and they were married on August 8, 1998. They lived on a 20 acre farm where they had their dogs, cats, chickens and other farm animals. Skip ran a pawn shop in Escanaba which she helped with when needed.

Upon returning to Boise, she & Skip became very active in the Sacred Heart Catholic Church and their programs - Prison Ministry and Prison Story Link. She was an Eucharistic Minister, Lector, Sacristan, MC and was certified as Basic Level Catechist along with attending Knights of Columbus functions with Skip. She was Queen of the local Red Hat Society, member of Risen Christ Ladies Tea and Helping Hands Memorial Scrapbooking group. She had many hobbies including making junk journals, jewelry, cards, scrapbooking, knitting, embroidery, quilting and sewing, in fact she made her dress for her wedding to Skip.

Services will be held on Friday, June 12, 2026, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Boise, with Rosary service held at 10 am and memorial services at 11 am. In lieu of flowers you may donate to Sacred Heart Rite to Life, Risen Christ Catholic Church Building Fund or Story Link of Idaho. Luncheon will held at Risen Christ Catholic Church, 11511 W Lake Hazel Rd, Boise.