Nora Lou Willoughby (née Barker) 76, beloved mother, grandmother and

friend, passed away March 7, 2023 in Reno, NV. Surrounded by music and

love, she left this world peacefully and gracefully while holding her son's

hand.

Nora was born October 18, 1946 in Bakersfield and raised in Wasco, CA.

She was the daughter of Joe and Helen Barker. The family owned Barker

Iron Works and Barker Park was named after her father and uncle. As a

young girl, Nora loved twirling her baton, riding horses and swimming, an

activity she enjoyed throughout her lifetime. She was a lover of music and

played the piano and organ for her church and community.

Nora was a graduate of Wasco High School, class of 1964. Shortly after

graduation, her love of the beach inspired her to move to the Central

Coast of California where she attended Cal Poly University in San Luis

Obispo, majoring in sociology. It was here that she met and married Jim

Willoughby on January 23, 1971. The young couple moved around

frequently due to Jim's job working in the oil industry and were living in

Paso Robles when their son, Brad was born on April 30, 1973.

After raising her son, she had a very successful career in real estate that

lasted 22 years. As much as she loved being a mother, she loved being a

grandmother even more and in 2012 she moved to Reno, NV to be close

to her son and grandchildren.

Nora always said her biggest accomplishment was giving birth to her son

and her greatest pleasure was being his mother. Family was of the utmost

importance. She was a devoted, housewife, mom and daughter who cared

loving for her own mother and father. She was of strong faith and strong

will, standing up for what she wanted and what she believed was right.

She was very social, keeping close ties with friends throughout her life,

and one of her greatest joys was getting together with girl friends. Nora

loved Christmas, decorating her house, hosting gatherings and making the

holidays special. Always thoughtful and considerate, she remembered

birthday's, sent thank you cards and made everyone she came into

contact with feel loved and important.

Nora cared deeply for the people in her life. She was a shining example of

unconditional love and everlasting friendship and her kind and beautiful

spirit will live on in all who were graced by her presence.

"A great soul serves everyone all the time. A great soul never dies. It brings

us together again and again."

- Maya Angelou

Nora is survived by her son, Brad Willoughby, grandchildren Karis and

Ryder Willoughby of Truckee, CA and her brother and his wife, Joe and

Jean Barker of Bakersfield, CA.

Funeral service will be held at 10:30 am, March 22, 2023 at the Lifehouse

Church in Wasco, CA with reception to follow. Flowers can be sent to

Peter's Funeral Home: 1401 Seventh St, Wasco, CA 93280