A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, July 18, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at the Church of Christ in Bridgeport, Nebraska, with Pastor Jonathan Seng officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Bridgeport Library and the Church of Christ, Bridgeport, Nebraska.

Fond memories and condolences may be left at www. bridgeportmemorialchapel. com for the McDermott family.

Barbara was born at Lisco, Nebraska, one early Easter morn, March 31, 1929.

She was the daughter of Lonnie and Grace Waggerby Spears. Grace (her mom) was assisted at the birth by Mary Middleswart Phillips.

Dr. Morse, who arrived late, announced a fine baby girl and left a bill for $35.00.

Barbara attended both Lisco and Garden County High Schools. She was employed by the Garden County Extension Service for a year. She married Bill McDermott at the family home in Lisco on May 16, 1948. To this union five children were born: Cyndia,William P., Andrea, Adina and John.The couple farmed until they sold the farm northeast of Broadwater in 2011.They then lived in Kimball where Bill was a rural mail carrier in the 1970s. Barbara worked for Vogler Green Houses and Kimball County Manor during their time in Kimball.

They retired to Bridgeport in 1987.

Barbara’s passion was her dedicated family and helping others to make their load lighter. Predeceasing her in May 2013 was her husband Bill of 65 years; her parents; two brothers, Jim and Norman, and a sister, Flossie. Surviving

her are her children: Cyndia (John Kitt) of San Antonio,TX;William “Pat” (Tajah Neubo) of Bend, OR; Andrea (Kenneth Fields) of Phoenix, AZ; Adina (Mike Bauer) of Bridgeport, NE; and John of Wasilla, AK; six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; two wonderful nephews: Larry Christison of Filer, ID, and Steve Adams of Aurora, CO; and her dog, Danny Boy, a loyal companion.

Obituary penned by Barbara McDermott