Barbara Louise (Cross) Perrault, 88, of Tulsa, OK, died Wednesday, October 3, 2018, surrounded by members of her family and some grand children at St John Hospital. Barbara was born on January 3, 1930 in Dowagiac, MI, to Hazel and Henry Cross. On May 4, 1952 she married John "Jack" Edward Perrault in Long Beach, California. Once Jack was discharged from the Navy, they made their home in Tulsa. There this lovely, fierce woman, Barbara Perrault, had 8 children (John, Joe, Tony, Margaret, Annette, Tom, Suzy & Jim), 17 grandchildren, and 16 great grandchildren (with 1 more due soon).

She was a master of old-world hand skills--millinery, tatting, knitting, sewing, and baking. She made it all look so easy! She published many family cookbooks so her hospitality could be continued. Adding extra seats to any meal was never a problem.

Education for all was her top priority. Travel was an essential element to a broad world-view. Barbara worked as a travel agent for 30 years. One of her travel goals was to take her grand children on three major lifetime trips at key school milestones. A first-grade good report card meant a trip to see a cousin in a neighboring state. Successful completion of 8th grade, a trip to a major US city. High school graduation meant months of secrecy as she planned a European jaunt but she wouldn't divulge destinations until they got on the plane.

She was an old-style, social justice Catholic, a believer in equality and fairness. Help the poor? Work across racial or social divides? Of course! She railed at current political skullduggery. For decades she actively participated in church life and led countless Christian continuing education classes leading others to the faith that gave her great comfort.

Barbara's pride and joy were her immediate and extended family. Before the internet, she did extensive family genealogy the old-fashioned way, by writing letters, looking through libraries, and visiting ancestral cemeteries and towns. Here career as a travel agent (one of many jobs) enabled her to visit towns in the U.K, France, Italy and beyond to find Chateau Perrault and the family's connection to fable writer Charles Perrault. Her last years were spent keeping up with all 61 members of her family and making sure that each member, new and old, had handmade, personalized Christmas stockings and baby gifts.

Longtime members of Christ the King Church, Barbara's funeral will be there, Thursday, October 11th, 11:00am, with a rosary on Wednesday evening, October 10th, 7:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests Memorial Donations in Barbara's honor to the Marquette School Education Endowment by clicking the link on the left side of this page.