Barbara "Babs" Louise Whitesides Peña was born to William Wallace Whitesides and Nell Davis Whitesides in East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana on February 17, 1951. Barbara is an alumna of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and as a Ragin' Cajun, earned numerous academic distinctions.

Barbara moved to New Mexico in the fall of 1973 to pursue a teaching career and taught for 30 years. She taught at Pueblo of Isleta Elementary, Sandia Base Elementary, Governor Bent Elementary, Cleveland Middle, and Albuquerque High. She was an outstanding teacher, and an APS Apple Award recipient.

Barbara's graduate work at the University of New Mexico included a Master of Arts and an Ed Specialist. Beyond her professional and academic work, Barbara was an accomplished photographer, potter, and published poet.

Barbara was the essence of a life-long learner, she had the soul of a teacher. Barbara appreciated the beauty of New Mexico but missed the greens and the water of her native Louisiana. Barbara was a caring and loving individual, and her laughter will forever echo in our memories.

Barbara is survived by her husband of 51 years Stanley Charles Peña; daughter Jennifer Peña and grandson Maxwell of New Mexico; son Steven Peña and wife Molly and granddaughters Sophia, Avery, and Rosalie of North Carolina; two sisters Elizabeth  Gonzalez and Sally Hayes; extended family, numerous friends and colleagues throughout the world.