Barbara Ann Lightfoot

Barbara Ann Lightfoot, 89, of Caldwell, Idaho, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on October 2, 2026. 

Born July 5, 1937, in Swindon, Wiltshire, England, to Arthur and Dorothy Bennett, Barbara was the second oldest of six children. She met the love of her life, David Lightfoot, an American Air Force serviceman stationed nearby, at a carnival. They fell in love quickly and were married on July 21, 1956. Before marrying Dave, Barbara became a born-again Christian and carried a strong, joyful faith throughout her life that she freely shared with others. 

While Dave continued his Air Force service, Barbara gave birth to their first two children in England. When his service ended, she bravely boarded a plane with two small children and began a new life in Minnesota. Together, Barb and Dave welcomed five more children in the United States. They were heartbroken to lose their son Stephen just days after his birth; Barbara always looked forward to the day she would see him again in heaven. 

A hardworking and devoted mother, Barbara cared for her six children—often while Dave worked out of town—supporting each of them in their unique interests with steady love. In 1973, the family moved to Idaho. Barbara remained active in her church, involved in her children’s schools, and worked in the country store and flower shop owned by Dave’s twin brother, Mike and his wife, Ruth. Barbara later found deep fulfillment as a teaching assistant for special education students. She loved those children, many of whom came from difficult circumstances, and made certain they were fed, clothed, and remembered with birthday and Christmas gifts. She taught with patience, creativity, and genuine care, making every lesson engaging. 

Barbara became a proud American citizen, and the day she was sworn in remained one of her happiest memories. She served faithfully in church her entire adult life—cooking for evening services, playing the piano, leading Good News Club in her home, teaching Sunday School, leading Awana, and hosting home Bible studies. 

As a grandmother she was simply “Gram,” a fun and involved presence in the lives of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

Barbara fought a seven-year battle with cancer—enduring surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation—with quiet courage and without complaint. Even in her final days, her faith continued to shine. Two days before she passed, while experiencing confusion, she believed she was in a nursing home sharing a room with another woman. In the middle of the night, she began witnessing to this “woman,” explaining that we are all sinners and that all one must do is confess those sins to Jesus, invite Him into one’s life, and be saved. She spoke of the deep peace she had found when she accepted Jesus and how He had changed her life. This was Barbara—faithful to the end, still telling others about her Savior even in confusion. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Dorothy Bennett; her brother Roger; her sister Dorie; and her son Stephen. 

Barbara is survived by her loving husband of 70 years, Dave Lightfoot; her children Debbie (Rick) Rhodes, Mark Lightfoot, Daphne Lightfoot, Beth Claudio, Richard (Mary) Lightfoot, and Sarah (Joel) Walden; nine grandchildren, Todd, April, Sarah, Raymond, David, Andy, Aaron, Corbin, and Elijah; and six great-grandchildren, Easton, Case, Lincoln, Rebecca, Joshua, and Addison; sisters Joan Bauld and Dorothy Bauerschmidt; and brother Arthur Bennett. 

Because of the rich legacy of faith and love for Jesus that Barbara passed on, her family knows they will see her again. Until that joyful reunion, she is happy, whole, and praising her Savior. 

A viewing will be held on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Flahiff Funeral Chapel in Caldwell. The funeral service will follow at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, also at Flahiff Funeral Chapel. All are welcome.