Barbara Ann Cofer-Stoefen

Published 10:11 am Monday, May 20, 2024

Barbara Ann Cofer-Stoefen

October 6, 1953 – April 30, 2024

It is with great sadness the Stoefen family announces the death of Barbara Anne Cofer Stoefen, age 70, after a three-year battle with liver cancer.

Barbara, “Barb,” was born in Boston, MA in 1953 to Dale and Louise Cofer. Dale worked in Boston as a Special Agent for the FBI at that time, and later took a position in government security with Lockheed in southern California. It was there Barb spent her early childhood in Northridge, CA, and then moved with the family to the SF Bay Area in 1964 when her father was transferred.

Barb spent her high school years at Saratoga High School and graduated in 1971 (she unfortunately missed her 50th reunion due to her illness). Her first two years of college were spent at San Diego State University and as a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority. She finished college with a BS degree in Business Administration at San Jose State University in 1976.

Barb’s first real job was at Intel Corporation, then a start-up company, and she often quipped her claim to fame was saying “hi” to the inventor of the integrated circuit in the hallway. She developed a keen interest in human resources and went on to work at Fairchild Camera and Instrument and then Measurex Corporation.

It was at Measurex where Barb met Pete Stoefen and they married in 1980. Their daughter, Anna Christina Stoefen was born in 1983 and son, Jeffrey Shaw Stoefen, in 1988.

Once Anna and Jeff were born, Silicon Valley lost its luster for Barb and Pete, and they moved their young family to the not yet discovered town of Bend, Oregon. There Barb and Pete each acquired small businesses in the recruitment industry, and then ultimately pooled their talents to work exclusively in Barb’s physician recruitment firm, The O’Kane Group. Over the years they found hundreds of physicians for client hospitals and clinics throughout the Northwest. Toward the end of her career, she went to work full-time for one of her long-time clients, Praxis Health, before retiring in 2021.

While Barb would tell you raising her children was her greatest joy in life, she considered the acquisition of her memoir, A Very Fine House, by Zondervan/Harper Collins to be her greatest achievement. The story is about her journey through her daughter’s drug addiction and recovery, and her own recovery as well.

Barb was also very active in the Bend community. She served as an officer at Quota Club, Hospice of Bend – La Pine (now Partners in Care), and was President of the Meth Action Coalition. She also participated as a community member on various coalitions and work groups with Deschutes County and the Central Oregon Health Council.

Barb is survived by her beloved husband, Peter Jeffrey Stoefen, daughter Anna Christina Fiedler (Thomas Fiedler), grandson Nox Shaw Fiedler, son Jeffrey Shaw Stoefen (Whitney Beck Stoefen), soon-to-be granddaughter Stoefen expected June 2024, sister-in-law Robin Irene Stoefen Bennett, and brother Paul C. Cofer (David Olsgard).

In lieu of flowers, a donation to Partner’s in Care would be most appreciated.