Barbara Alice Browning

She died peacefully in her sleep after a long period of declining health.

Barbara was born in New York City in 1941. She graduated from St. Pius High School in the Bronx in 1959. She started working for Met Life (in the Empire State Building) before joining American Airlines in 1962.

She married her first husband, Charlie, in 1966 and shortly after moved to Virginia, and spent several years traveling all over the world, including Hawaii, Fiji, and a trip on the famous Orient Express. In 1970 they welcomed son, Mark.

In 1978 she married Tommy Browning, the love of her life. They remained married for almost 40 years, until he passed away in early 2018.

Barbara’s great joy was cooking and baking for friends and family. In the late 1970s she started a cake business specializing in custom-decorated birthday and wedding cakes. She loved making jams and jellies and bringing them to friends whenever she visited. She also had a great love of sewing and made clothes for her children, grandchildren, her husband, and even made the wedding dress (as well as the cake) for her second wedding.

In her 70s and 80s she enjoyed the company of her grandchildren, relaxing at the pool with her closest friends, and volunteering her time with the local Lions Club. Affectionately referred to as Barb, “BB”, or “Grandbee” (by her grandchildren), she always had a smile, cake, jam, and was always asking how she could help.

Barbara was preceded in death by her husband Tommy Browning, her parents, and sister.

She leaves behind a loving son Mark (Eleanor), stepson Mike (Janine), and stepdaughters Teri (Mark), and Betsy. She also leaves behind brothers Damon and Wayne, 6 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, you can make donations in Barbara’s name to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America (https://alzfdn.org/), or the Lions Club (https://www.lionsclubs.org/).

Visitation will be held at Demaine Funeral Home, 5308 Backlick Road, Springfield, VA 22151, US, on April 27, 2026, from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm, followed by a Funeral Service at Demaine Funeral Home at the same address on April 27, 2026, from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm. Livestream link is below under services (Join Livestream)