Mom was born on November 9, 1954. She was eight pounds, ten ounces.

Her mother wanted to name her Jennifred, since her sister was named Winnifred. Mom figured her mother probably had a liking for a man named Fred at one time. Her father chose Barbara, as it was a popular name at the time. Her mother insisted that “Barb” was not the short form of her name, but rather “Babzie.” This frustrated Mom to no end. Her mother even had a bedspread made with Babzie on it. Her friends called her Barb. When her mother came around high school, she had all her friends call her Bobbie to get her mother upset.

She recalled a popular doo-wop song, “Barbara Ann”, after which many girls were named. She didn’t get “Ann” as a middle name, but got “Ellen” instead. Her middle name was not after any family members.