BARBARA BARRETT WARRINER

Barbara Barrett Warriner • July 14, 1943 - January 30, 2026

Barbara Barrett Warriner passed away at the age of 82 on Friday, January 30 in

Prosser, Washington. She was born on July 14, 1943 in St. Cloud, Minnesota, the

daughter of Florence Popilek Barrett and Kenneth J. Barrett. At the time, her father

Kenneth was serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army. Between 1944 and 1945, Ken

Barrett was transferred to the Bay Area and they moved to Salinas, California where

she grew up being doted on by her parents.

Barbara attended elementary school in Salinas and graduated from Palma High

School in 1961. She attended a private Catholic university, the College of Notre Dame

in Belmont, majoring in English with an emphasis in pre-1642 Drama and Literature. She earned her

secondary teaching credential in 1966. Barbara became employed by the Salinas Union High School

District and taught at El Sausal Middle School between 1967 and 1982, winning awards and honors for

her contributions. It was at El Sausal that Barbara met fellow teacher, Herbert Roscoe Warriner, and

they married on June 22, 1973 at the San Juan Bautista Mission.

Herb’s reminiscences of life in his hometown of Grandview led Barb’s parents, Pat and Ken Barrett, to

settle in Prosser upon their retirement, and Herb and Barb later followed them to Prosser in 1982.

Barbara joined the staff at Prosser High School and taught College Preparation British Literature,

Everyday English for Juniors/Seniors, Yearbook, Drama, and Heroes in Literature. As an exemplary

educator, she played a diverse number of roles beyond teacher. She became advisor, tutor, counselor

and mentor to numerous students, engaging them in literature, poetry, and drama and helping them to

earn honors and scholarships throughout her career. With husband Herb, she stayed active and engaged

in the high school community by attending and recording school activities until her retirement in 2013.

Barbara was also an active participant in the community and beyond. She was a presenter at the

National Reading Association Convention, at the Washington Association of School Administrators, the

Oregon State Chapter I Conference, and the Idaho State Teachers Conference. In addition, Barb was the

director and Co-Producer of Prosser Players in the Park, President of the Lower Valley Art Association,

Area Representative of Delta Kappa Gamma, and the Vice-President of Prosser Gardeners.

She continued to expand her knowledge and further her education by earning a Masters degree in

Secondary English Education in 1988, and enjoyed many other personal interests such as award winning

pencil drawing, photography, calligraphy and needlepoint arts.

Barbara Warriner will be remembered by many friends, past students, and colleagues for her

uncompromising dedication and drive to provide the very best in all her educational and personal

endeavors. She valued the members of her community and strove to share her talents with those around

her and engage with steadfast purpose to make an impact on the lives of others. Barbara is survived by

her nephew Bryan Hall and his wife Sonja. She was predeceased by her husband Herbert Warriner and

step-daughter Kellie Doyle.

Funeral services will be held at the Prosser Funeral Home at 1220 Sheridan Ave., Prosser, WA.

Rosary - Thursday, February 5th at 3:30pm

Funeral Service - Thursday, February 5th at 4:00pm

Burial and Graveside Service - Friday, February 6th at 9:00am at the Prosser Cemetery

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Prosser High School Yearbook Fund.

"This above all: to thine own self be true,

And it must follow, as the night the day,

Thou canst not then be false to any man.

"

-William Shakespeare