Barbara Orcutt was born on September 28, 1932, in Hoopa and raised in Pecwan. Her early life was shaped by both love and hardship. She was raised in the care of her grandparents, awok Lagoon George and awok Annie Crescent, and her loving mother awok Violet Moore, whose presence grounded her. From those beginnings, Barbara learned lessons that stayed with her throughout her life: that happiness is made through what one does with hands and heart, and that strength is not something claimed, but lived.

The proof of Barbara’s resilience can be seen in the lives she shaped. She did not speak often about what she endured, instead she transformed it into care, responsibility, and generosity. What was taken from her early on, she returned to the world through steadiness, work, and quiet devotion to others.

Barbara lived close to the river, and it remained an important teacher to her. It reflected the way she moved through life. She carried herself with strength, guided by the wisdom passed down from those before her. This was her gift to us all.

Barbara shared her life with awok Ed Moore and, later, awok Lawrence “Dud” Orcutt. Through their love, she became the mother of awok Gerald Moore, Edward Moore, Janice Greene, Lawrence Orcutt, Michael Orcutt, and Kevin Orcutt. Her life was also brightened by her loving sisters Vivian Snyder, Joanne Moore and Sister-Cousin Jacquie Winter. Barbara’s sense of motherhood reached far beyond her home. As a school bus driver, she watched over many children over the years with the same steadiness and care, often preparing homemade food for the students and offering a safe space on their way to and from school.

She kept busy in her garden, her work, and her community. Her hands were rarely still. The garden, like her family, was tended with patience and effort, producing beauty and nourishment in its time. In these daily acts, Barbara showed that healing does not come from words alone, but from care repeated over a lifetime.

Barbara was preceded in death by her husbands, awok Ed Moore and awok Lawrence “Dud” Orcutt; her parents, awok Violet Moore and awok John Safford; her son, awok Gerald Moore; her daughter-in-law, awok Janine Orcutt; and her siblings, awok Betty Jackson, awok Carol Moore, and awok Arnold Moore.

She is survived by her grandchildren: Penny Nordstrom, Naomi Nelson, Jenny Piatti, Tanya Orcutt, Lawerence “Brezzy” Orcutt, Peggy Orcutt, Oni Orcutt, Presley Orcutt, David Orcutt, and Amber Orcutt. Great grandchildren: Poncech Ascencio, Laila Walker-Orcutt, Lewis Frazier, Delaney Sorrell, Lawerence Orcutt, Jasmine Young-Emerson, DJ Nordstrom, Alan Nordstrom, Warren Nordstrom, Lee Nordstrom, Hugh Nordstrom, Muriel Nordstrom, Lawrence Taylor, Tashina Taylor, Jude Taylor, LJ Nelson, Lene Ralston, Katie Ralston, Cynthia Ralston, Stephanie Capoeman, Sophia Piatti.

Pallbearers Lawerence “Brezzy” Orcutt, Allen Nordstrom, Lawerence Taylor, Johnny Delarosa, Eli Moon, Anthony Piatti, and Joseph James. Barbara is also honored by her beloved family and friends and her honorary pallbearers including her sons: Edward, Lawerence, Micheal, Kevin, John and her family, Dan Nordstrom, Donald Nordstrom, Burt Snyder, Pliny Jackson, Patrick Jackson, Jude Taylor, John Nelson Jr., Walt Lara Sr., Jim McQuillen, Bill Bowers, Alme Allen and Nolan Colgrove.

As each of us carries a memory, we carry a piece of Barbara. In tending to a garden, in feeding others, in watching over children, in choosing care over division, her presence continues. She leaves behind not only the family, but a way of living, one shaped by those who came before her, strengthened by hardship, and offered forward as a precious gift. Please join us in community and food to celebrate the life of Barbara.

A memorial service has been planned for January 25th at 1:00pm at Willow Creek Cemetery with a reception to follow at 2:00pm at VFW Hall in Willow Creek.

###

The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Barbara Orcutt’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.