Barbara Ladd

On Sunday, August 30, Barbara Ladd passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, from the longtime effects of dementia. She was 87 years old. Barbara was born, December 26, 1932 in Seattle, to Russian Immigrant parents, Sonya & Harry Pinch. She was raised in Tacoma where she attended Stadium High School. While at the University of Washington, she met and married Roy Rosenthal, and had her only son, Rodney. Along with her parents, she managed the family restaurant, the Original Pancake House, located in Lakewood.  After being divorced for some time, she met and soon married, her Army Captain from Oklahoma, Ottie Ladd. Together they had two daughters, Mindy and Cori.

Barbara and Ottie found their business success, when Colonel Sanders introduced them to his "Kentucky Fried Chicken", which became a menu favorite at the Pancake House. They soon built a take out in the back and built, owned and operated their franchise in Pierce County, Spokane and a few stores in Idaho, throughout a 35 year span. Although Barb didn't work on a day to day basis in the business, she always had great input and especially enjoyed the many trips & conventions that went along with being a franchise owner.

She loved the special Gravelly Lake home, where she raised her family. Playing tennis, lunch with girlfriends, travel and especially shopping were, just some of the many things that she enjoyed. Her travels took her around the world, whether with friends or family. Her favorite always being the sandy Kaanapali shores of Maui.

Barbara was known for her love of theatre, art, antiques, fabulous clothes, shoes and handbags. She had a great time filling her closets with outfits for every occasion, right down to the coordinating accessories! If she had a chosen career, it would be spending time looking for the perfect thing to add to one of her many collections. She shared her love of live theatre and the arts with her children and grandchildren, always taking them to the theatre or art galleries.

Animals naturally gravitated to Barb, and there was never a four legged friend that was refused a home. Neighbor dogs would prefer her home because of the loving attention she gave them. She adored her cats, and Charlie the local squirrel, who would sit on the dutch door, or come in the kitchen, wondering where his friend Barbara was, with peanuts for him.

Barb loved to laugh. She loved a good joke, as long as it wasn't on her. Her laugh was infectious and her smile heartfelt. Home was filled with laughter and great stories, whether it be family, friends or when children and grandchildren surrounded her.

Of all the things that she loved, family was what gave her the most joy. Raising her children and loving her grandchildren filled her time and heart with happiness. That love overflowed to her nephews and nieces, their children and beyond. She lived a long, full life and although she is truly missed, her heartfelt love and love of life, will be felt for years to come.

She leaves behind her son, Rod Ladd (Shelley); daughters, Mindy Ladd Bennett (Rick), Cori Ladd (Michael); her grandchildren, Sarah (Nick), Michael, Emrey, Macy (David), Ruby, Miles; great granddaughter Adaline; brothers, Mark Pinch, Mike Pinch (Carina).

Barbara was predeceased by her sister Mitzi Rubenstein.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to The Point Defiance Zoo or the Animal Shelter of your choice.

A small, family celebration will be scheduled at a later date.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Barbara Ladd, please visit our floral store.