Laura Grace Barrett, 87
Born in Froid, Montana, in 1930, Laura was raised on a wheat farm, which she left at the age of 16 to attend the University of Montana. She worked as schoolteacher in San Francisco. The bright and beautiful Laura became a stewardess for Pan American Airways. There she met Jim Barrett, who was love-struck by the bold blonde bombshell. Laura was captivated by the handsome young attorney. They married and moved to Los Angeles. They had five children, Stephanie Jo, James Patrick, Michael Sean, Kevin Vincent and Gabriela Goodwin.
The care of her family did not temper Laura’s passion for the arts. She took the children along on expeditions to London, Hawaii and Mexico. Laura taught art classes and worked to develop community art programs. She wrote and directed her play “Garden of Pleasure,” which was performed at UCLA. In 1969, the suburban Laura created a cross culture art cooperative with her black inner city friend Pauline.
Laura’s farming roots served the family well when her city boy husband expressed interest in an agricultural project. Laura was 100 percent for getting the family back to the land. Laura and Jim founded Chateau Montelena in Calistoga, California. Quickly, their 1973 Chardonnay won the landmark Paris tasting of 1976, catapulting the winery to fame.
Jim and Laura went their separate ways in 1977. However, Laura never gave up on the dream of a family winery, maintaining her ownership and making significant contributions to the continued success of Chateau Montelena. Laura’s’ memoir of the early Montelena journey is titled “What Is More Real Than A Dream.”
In 1980, the unattended Laura caught the attention of another Mr. Barrett— Jack Barrett, the plumber. Laura found this different sort of man irresistible, and Laura and Jack were married in 1984. By 1986 they moved to Bigfork where Laura’s creative idea-generating engine coupled with Jack’s practical knowledge to create Bridge Street Gallery and Wine Café and Restaurant.
After bringing a higher level of culture to Bigfork, Jack and Laura moved to warmer pursuits. A winter escape culminated in the purchase of “La Querencia,” a beautiful home overlooking the arts district of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Here they manifested Ambos Galleria des Artes.
In 2010, Laura was diagnosed with cancer. She bravely endured surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. Laura handled these events as bumps in the road on the way to her destination. With her diminished health, Laura’s resolve to accomplish became even more fervent. The dynamic duo of Laura and Jack started Collage Gallery of Fine Arts in Bigfork in 2014. After Jack passed away in Mexico, in March of 2016, Laura adjusted and kept moving. She traveled to Cuba in March of 2017. Laura continued to work on her memoirs, poetry and artwork. Finally, Laura developed a charitable foundation to support the arts.
Laura was vital and full of Viking spirit until her last days. Surrounded her loving family, “she passed into eternal rest” on July 20, 2017, at Casa Del Lago on Woods Bay.
A reception to celebrate her life will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 11 at the Collage Gallery, Bigfork.
On Aug. 12, a rosary and Mass will be held at St. John Paul II in Bigfork beginning at 10 a.m. Both services are open to friends of the family and community.
Donations, in lieu of flowers, may be made to Habitat for Humanity of Flathead Valley at http://www.habitatflathead.org/Flathead Valley.