Barbara M. Halcro

Oct 16, 1931 -

Apr 4, 2026

Our beautiful and beloved mother, Barbara Marie Halcro, entered peacefully into eternal life at home in Honolulu, Hawaii, surrounded by family, on April 4, 2026. Barbara was born to Franklin Norvelle and Mary Josephine (McManamy) Brady in Everett, Mass., on Oct. 16, 1931. She attended Webster School, Parlin Jr. High School and graduated from Everett High School in 1949. She was a true "49er." This was prophetic. When Barbara was young, her father used to bring home travel books. Her favorites were Norway and Hawaii. One day an article highlighting Alaska featured in the Sunday travel section of the Boston Globe awakening in her a powerful desire to go to Alaska, the 49th state.

In those days, one graduated from high school with either a trade or a business education. Barbara pursued a business education and fell in love with bookkeeping, typing and shorthand. Combined with marketing and sales experience gained by working at Gorin's Department Store after school since she was 13 years old, Barbara had all the skills she needed to solve business problems and turn a profit. She could learn any job and master it, which she did, everywhere she worked. Her people and organizational skills, natural salesmanship and desire to get the job done were formidable.

After high school, Barbara worked in Boston, Mass., and Chicago, Ill., where she had great fun with her cousin, Raymond, and his friends at her aunt Agnes's house. In 1954, she ventured on to San Francisco, Calif., where she met the love of her life, Robert "Bob" J. Halcro. Mom always remarked that she "had been waiting all her life for the cute little fellow in the glen plaid suit with the brown bow tie." It was kismet. They married in 1955, and honeymooned in Alaska. In 1956, they began operating the Avis Rent a Car franchise in Alaska from their San Francisco office, and in 1966, Mom couldn't wait any longer to return to Alaska, and they moved the family from San Francisco to Anchorage. Mom and Dad raised their family and grew their business, Alaska Rent A Car Inc. - AVIS Alaska - a legacy company which continues to thrive at 71 years. A pioneer at heart, Mom loved Alaska. February was her favorite month, although she also enjoyed a beautiful fall day when the leaves were changing color. Each summer her garden included an "Ode to Alaska": two planters on the deck which held blue and gold flowers. In 2024, at the age of 93, Mom decided winter in Alaska was too harsh, so she began to winter in Honolulu, which she also loved for its soft, fragrant air, sunny days and sunrise red papaya.

Mom was superlative in every way: beautiful, loving, smart, gracious, capable, kind, practical, prudent and thoughtful. A firmly grounded faith was the foundation of her life. Mom had an impressive knowledge of and respect for American history and believed the founding documents of the country were divinely inspired. She was an avid patriot. Mom was a wonderful piano player and loved to tap dance, which she used to do in the kitchen until very late in her life. She also possessed a clever, lighthearted sense of humor and a great laugh. She inspired others with positive encouragement often saying "why not?" and "nothing ventured, nothing gained." And she believed you should "live life, every golden minute of it." She was a blessing to everyone who met her. We love you, Mom.

Barbara was predeceased by her husband, Robert; daughters, Stephanie Halcro and Pauline Hurst; and brothers, Franklin (Ruth King) and William (Phyllis Hart) Brady. She is survived by her sister, Patricia (Larry) Close; daughters, Victoria Adams, Mary Halcro, Roberta (Andrew) Inglis and Margaret Beach; son, Andrew (Victoria) Halcro; 23 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

A Funeral Mass and Celebration of Life is scheduled to be held on May 23, 2026, with the Rosary at 12:30 p.m., and Mass at 1 p.m., at St. Benedict Parish, 8110 Jewel Lake Road in Anchorage. Everyone is invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission or St. Benedict Church.