Barbara Adell (Daniels) Friga passed away peacefully at her home in Pomona surrounded by her children on Monday afternoon, January 10, at the age of 90. She was born on September 4, 1931, in Mountain View, Missouri, to Fate and Lillian (Saddoris) Daniels, the second of five children. She married the love of her life, Michael “Tony” Friga, on November 10, 1951, in Willow Springs. Throughout their marriage, they shared their love and faith with seven children, 19 grandchildren, 46 great-grandchildren, and countless extended family and friends.
Barbara graduated from Mountain View High School in 1949. She and her husband opened their family business, Tony’s Tire Service in West Plains in 1966, where she managed the office for many years. Barbara was an active member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Willow Springs, and the Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary. She was devoted to daily prayer, particularly the Holy Rosary. Barbara was a skilled sewist and an avid quilter, creating well over 90 beautiful quilts for her family or to donate to charity. She loved to read and watch the sunset from her front porch. She hosted many family gatherings and was passionate about making sure her home was always warm and welcoming. She especially loved traveling with her husband to vacation and visit family all across the country and overseas. But she always loved returning to her home in the Ozarks.
The greatest joy in her life was the family she raised with her husband, including three sons and four daughters and their families: Kem and Debbie Friga of Pomona, and children, Tony (Laura) Friga, Nikki (Brian) Langford, and Lea Ann (Jacob) Heuser; Gary Friga, deceased; Pam and Earl Henry of Pomona, and children, Melissa (Michael) DiRienzo, Amber (Wayne) Wollesen, Kate Maruf, and Betsy Henry; Rodney and Cathy Friga of Willow Springs and children Kelli (Skyler) Leach, Laura (Brian) Jens, Kayla (Matt) Luney, and Dane Friga; Brenda and Bill Jackson of Pomona and children, Heather (Isaac) Mann, Bill (Jessica) Jackson, Brian (Shenna) Jackson, and David Jackson; Diane and John Stir of Weston and children, Emily (Jeremiah) Tylski and Luke Stir; and Anita and Chuck Todd of Concord, CA, and children, Sienna Todd and Sheridan Todd; and numerous great-grandchildren.
Barbara is also survived by two brothers, Bob Daniels and Jim (Naomi) Daniels, and two sisters, Irene (Don) Kupferschmid and Lou Feldman; and numerous extended family members. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and one son.
The Rosary will be recited Friday, January 14 at 5:00pm with the visitation following from 5:30 – 7:00 PM at Willow Funeral Home, LLC. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Willow Springs, at 10am Saturday, January 15. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Barbara’s memory to the Pregnancy Resource Center of Mountain Grove and may be left at the funeral home. Arrangements are under the direction of Willow Funeral Home, LLC. Online condolences may be left at www.willowspringsfuneralhome.com
