Former Columbus, NE resident, Barbara Gay Boyd Park, died Friday, May 29, 2020 at Wildewood Downs Retirement Community in Columbia, SC.

The daughter of Eugenia Greiner and Gayle W. Boyd, she was born and resided in Columbus, NE until 1971. She was a graduate of Columbus High School, received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Wesleyan University, Lincoln, NE, and worked as an elementary school teacher. She was a Delta Zeta National Sorority, and Chapter CH-P.E.O. sisterhood.

Barbara was married to Martin H. Park in June of 1959 in Columbus, NE. They were happily married for 52 years. Together they had two daughters, Jennifer Park Taylor and the late Deborah Park Hanna.

The Park family resided in Munich, Germany for 38 years, and traveled extensively throughout the world. Mrs. Park assisted her husband with his electronics company in social and business obligations in Europe and other locations around the world.

Barbara was an elegant, vibrant, and energetic woman. She and Martin loved to entertain. They were gracious hosts, and welcomed family and friends from all over the world into their home with gourmet dinners and lively conversations. They had a knack of making all their guests feel welcome. Her favorite pastime was recording her family history, and over the years created more than 365 scrapbooks.

She is survived by her daughter, Jennifer Taylor and husband, Bill Taylor, of Columbia; sister, Mary Allerton and her children, Betsy and Christopher, of Omaha, NE; as well as her son-in-law, Tracy Hanna of Loveland, CO. In addition to her parents and daughter, she is preceded in death by her brother, David Boyd of Columbus, NE.

An excerpt from her farewell letter reads:
We have had so much love within our family circle. We must share it with the world around us. Let us always remember that we must give in measures in which we received. God bless you all, and keep us always within His everlasting arms. I have loved my life, my husband, my children, my family, and my dear friends, and this is my final message to you.
Auf Wiedersehen, until we meet again…

A private funeral service will be held at a future date. Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the MDS Foundation, in honor of her beloved husband, Martin, by visiting https://www.mds-foundation.org/