Barbara Jane Hurd

Barbara J. Hurd, 89, passed away on September 3, 2026, at the Watermark at Cherry Hills, her residence since 2022. Born to William and Edna Anderson in 1936, in New Haven, Connecticut, she was the oldest of four children and grew up in Connecticut and Rhode Island.

After high school, Barbara spent a year in what was then West Germany attending the University of Maryland's Munich campus before rejoining her family stateside. Following the end of her first marriage, she worked a series of office jobs to support herself and her two young daughters, eventually landing at Shell Oil Company in New Jersey - where she met her second husband, Paul Hurd. Shell Oil moved the recently wed couple to Georgia, where they lived for 33 years before moving to Albuquerque in 2016. Barbara and Paul shared a long, happy marriage filled with frequent trips to visit family, memorable vacations to Alaska and Hawaii, and good times with dear friends. After Paul's passing in 2022, Barbara continued to enjoy spending time with her family, along with outings and activities with her friends at the Watermark.

Barbara is survived by her daughters, Lisa Frankland (Aaron) of Albuquerque, NM, and Sharon Layeski (Gene) of O'Fallon, IL; her grandchildren William Frankland (Jasmine), Meghan Frankland, Emily Dempsey (Ryan), and Connor Layeski; great-granddaughters Lyria and Kestri; sister Carol Nichols (Scott); brother William Anderson (Barbara); and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and other extended family. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 41 years, Paul; her sister, Nancy Johnson; and nephews Roland and Chad.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the caring staff and friends at The Watermark at Cherry Hills, who embraced Barbara and her family as part of their community these past four years, and to her Ambercare hospice team for their considerable support during her final weeks.

A funeral mass for Barbara will be held on Wednesday, October 21, at 10 a.m. at John XXIII Catholic Community, 4831 Tramway Ridge Dr. NE, with interment to follow at 11:30 at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to a favorite charity.