Barbara Ellen Conner

Barbara Ellen Myers Conner, a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend, passed away on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at the age of 94. More than anything, Barbara was a faithful follower of Jesus Christ, and her family is rejoicing that she is with her Lord and Savior.

Barbara was born in Martins Ferry, Ohio, on June 13, 1931, to Wilbur and Bernice (Banker) Myers. After her freshman year in high school, her family left the banks of the Ohio River to pursue a life in Pittsburgh, Pa. She attended Wilkinsburg High School and used her talent as a pianist to become the accompanist for the school choirs. It was through that experience that she met her husband of 72 years, Gordon Conner, who preceded her in death in 2023.

After graduating from high school in 1949, Barbara attended Bowling Green State University before joining Myers Furnace Supply Company, her family’s business, in Pittsburgh. After marrying Gordon on November 21, 1951, they welcomed four children, and Barbara became a homemaker.

Barbara had grown up in the church, but her relationship with Jesus Christ became deeply personal to her in the late 1960s. From that moment on, she was markedly different. Her life, transformed by grace, was defined by a deep and genuine faith. As a gifted church organist, she ushered fellow believers into worship. As an encourager, she listened intently and spoke the truth in love, often reminding others of the promises found in Scripture. As an unabashed prayer warrior, she interceded for her family and friends regularly – taking every need and request, every concern and worry to the foot of the cross. She was a constant participant in Bible studies and pursued ministry opportunities in her community and within church families, including Penn Hills Presbyterian Church and Allegheny Center Alliance Church in Pittsburgh.

The greatest gifts she gave to others were her presence, her humor and her example of joy unspeakable. Barbara possessed a deep generosity of spirit – always seeking out opportunities to do good for others. She used her incredibly quick wit and smile to engage people and make them feel welcome and loved. She had a gift for hospitality and opened her home warmly, often inviting and entertaining family and friends, global missionaries, and military generals and government officials from other nations. For her family and friends, Barbara was only a phone call away. Though her children moved across the globe, she often dropped everything and traveled to them if they needed help. She and Gordon made multiple trips to Texas, Arizona, Ohio, Tennessee, and Thailand to visit their children and grandchildren. Everywhere they went, they made friends and sought ways to encourage and minister to those they encountered.

Even as they mourn, Barbara’s family is celebrating her life and her presence with the Lord. Barbara is survived by her four children: Kathleen (Bruce) Meyer of Frisco, Texas; Karen (John) Tooley of Jamestown, N.C.; David (Mary) Conner of Austin, Texas; and Dana (Mark) Ritchie, of Chiang Mai, Thailand; eleven grandchildren: Sarah Tooley, Elaine Tooley, Peter Tooley, Jonathan Meyer, Krista (Don) Douglas, Andrew Conner, Bill Conner, Kiran (Jake Graham) Conner, Miriam Ritchie, Tim Conner and Lydia Ritchie; three great grandchildren: Clara Douglas, Jennavieve Meyer, and Wesley Conner; her sister, Kathleen (Dick) Coe of Colfax, N.C.; her sister-in-law, Anne (Dick) Hickox of Pittsburgh, Pa.; and multiple nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.

Barbara’s family would like to thank the staff and friends at Westchester Harbour at Providence Place in High Point, N.C., who became like a second family for Barbara over the past few years. Her family also offers its immense gratitude to all of the doctors, nurses, aides, assistants and volunteers at Hospice Home at High Point for the loving care and kindness they bestowed upon Barbara.

A service to celebrate Barbara’s life will be held on Saturday, May 9 at 2 p.m. at Gate City Baptist Church. The family will receive people after the service. It will be live streamed for family and friends unable to attend in person. Interment will be at Grandview Cemetery in Pittsburgh at a later date.

Hanes-Lineberry Sedgefield Chapel is honored to serve the Conner family.