Barbara Ann Conley (Hudson), 83, passed away April 14, 2019 at her home in North Platte, Nebraska.
She was born in Detroit, Michigan on June 17, 1935 to parents Betty (Adams) and Henry Hudson, and was an only child.
After high school, Barb attended Michigan State University and received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education. She met her husband, James Michael Conley, who also attended MSU and they were married on June 22, 1957. They re-located to Kansas City, Missouri then Des Moines, Iowa and settled in North Platte in 1968. She raised three children: Jim, Jana and Jay and had four grandchildren: Michael, Jacob, Harris and Carter.
Barb was very active in her community volunteering throughout the years. Platte Valley Swim Club (AAU), 4-H, and Clean City Committee. She was an active member of the Great Plains Medical Center Volunteer Auxiliary Committee, the P.E.O. Sisterhood – Chapter HO, the American Baptist Women’s Ministries, and the Jones Girls Stock Club of North Platte. She also worked as a Nutri-System counselor, and English as a Second Language Teacher. In 1990 she became the Director of Senior Ministries at First Baptist church. Barb was passionate about her position at the church and started “Ladies Night Out’ for women in the church to get together throughout the year for food, fellowship and fun. Her kind, giving and loving spirit touched many lives.
In 1990, Barb began a Weight Lifting career competing internationally, winning several Senior World Championships and traveled to and competed in every continent in the world. She later became an official referee in the sport and worked at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.
Barb’s passions were cooking, entertaining, Cornhusker football and women’s volleyball, love of cats and dogs and animals of all kinds.
Barb is survived by her husband, James Michael Conley; three children, James Michael Conley II and his wife, Peggy of North Platte, Jay Scot Conley of North Platte, and Jana Ann Conley of San Francisco; four grandchildren, James “Michael” Conley III of Lincoln, Jacob Mackenzie Conley of Omaha, Harris Conley Brown of San Francisco and Carter Hudson Brown also of San Francisco, California. Brothers-in-law, Jon Barre Conley and wife Kay of Los Angeles, California, Phil Conley and his wife Carol of Norman, Oklahoma along with many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by father, Henry Hudson; Mother Betty Culligan and husband Mr. Bill Culligan.
Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com. Memorials are suggested to the First Baptist Church.
A Celebration of Barb’s life is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. Friday, April 19th First Baptist Church with the Reverend Clint Walker officiating. Burial at Floral Lawns Cemetery immediately following the service. Visitation will be Thursday from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with family receiving friends from 5 to 7 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which is in care of arrangements.