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Barbara Mary Tunnicliffe

The Aspen Times
Aspen, CO Colorado

Born on Aug. 15, 1930 in Stamford, Lincolnshire England to parents Charles Harold Tunnicliffe and Agnes Mary Tunnicliffe, Barbara spent her early years in Stamford, Lincolnshire, England with her younger brother Brian George Tunnicliffe.

In her youth, Barbara attended the Fane School, was an avid tennis player and practiced the piano regularly. Throughout her life, Barbara enjoyed watching tennis, playing and listening to classical music, and spending time with family and friends. Barbara had a strong work ethic and a love of travel. She was a successful self-made business woman who was known for helping her family, friends and employees throughout her career.

Barbara first started working in Stamford, UK, as a secretary. Her first big trip abroad was during that time and consisted of a bicycle tour through France. Her adventurous spirit led her to Canada in 1955 where she worked for two years, after which she returned to the UK and lived in London. Barbara next took a job as a nanny in New York. Once there, she applied for a Green Card, which enabled her to stay in the United States. Barbara lived in New York and worked for Sears for a few years before deciding to move to the West Coast, with a short vacation in Aspen planned along the way. It was during this vacation that Barbara fell in love with the mountains and decided to stay in Aspen.



In Aspen, Barbara first landed at the Snow Chase Lodge where she met Pam McPherson, who became a lifelong friend, travel partner and business associate. After working several jobs, Barbara secured the funds to start her first restaurant, “Tunnicliffe’s Fish and Chips,” at the Mountain Chalet in Aspen. A quick success, she soon moved her business to a larger space on Cooper Street. In 1974, Barbara secured the on-mountain lease for Peak Nine Restaurant at the Breckenridge Ski Area, which is still ongoing. Barbara was proud of the restaurant and to this day Peak Nine Restaurant is known for the high quality of food and service that Barbara first established.

Through her corporation, Barbara provided work and housing to thousands of employees and food and beverage services to millions of customers over the years, many of whom would come to the restaurant just to visit with her. Kevin Brown continues to manage the corporation and operate the restaurant she so loved.




Barbara applied for citizenship and became a U.S. citizen in August 1979. In the 1980s she purchased a home in Carbondale, where she lived during the summers.

Barbara loved to travel with friends. Her early adventures included exploring many of the back roads of Colorado in a jeep, camping throughout the West, and rafting down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. In later years, she visited many of the states in the U.S. and traveled internationally to China, the Galapagos, Spain and Eastern Europe. She regularly visited the UK to visit her brother and watch Wimbledon tournaments.

Barbara passed away on Sept. 1, 2012. She is survived by her brother, Brian George Tunnicliffe, his wife Germaine, as well as many close friends. Barbara requested that no memorial service be held and suggested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in her name to Habitat for Humanity of Colorado.