Maureen Frances Barber

Maureen was born on November 26, 1945, at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Youngstown, Ohio, to James Joseph O’Hara, Sr. and Frances Bonita Gilboy (both deceased).

Her Fraternal Grandfather Thomas Anthony O’Hara was born in Culeens, County Sligo, Ireland and Grandmother Katherine A. Mannion in Bala, County Mayo, Ireland (both deceased) and had immigrated to the United States in the early 1900’s, eventually living in Youngstown, Ohio. Her Maternal Grandfather Martin Francis Gilboy and Grandmother Anna Agnes Marie Thornton were born in Youngstown, Ohio (both deceased).

She is survived by husband of 58 1/2 years, Charles, daughter Melissa Barber Rothrock (Henrico, Va.), son Launce Reed Barber (Bradenton, Fl) and Grandson Hayden Rothrock (Henrico, Va.) Two sisters, Colleen Robinson (James, Lakewood Colorado) and Christine Rosan (John, Westerville, Ohio). Two Brothers are deceased: James O’Hara Jr and Kevin Michael O’Hara. Also survived by 2 Sisters in Laws, Sandra Schwartz (Frank deceased, Hermitage, Pa) and Regina O’Hara (James Jr. Deceased, Austin, Texas), 2 Nieces, 4 Nephews and 5 Grand Nephew, and 4 Grand Nieces.

Maureen attended St. Edwards Elementary School, Youngstown, Ohio and graduated from Ursuline High School, Youngstown, Ohio, in 1963. She obtained a Diocese Scholarship to attend Youngstown State University and taught Catholic Elementary School her third and fourth years while completing her BE degree in 1967.

In February of 1965 she was introduced to her future husband Charles Barber of Hermitage, Pa. They became engaged at Christmas 1966. They were married at St Edwards Church, Youngstown, Ohio, on June 10, 1967, a week after they both graduated from Youngstown State University, he in Chemical Engineering and she in Elementary Education.

They honeymooned at Strictland’s Resort in the Poconos of Pennsylvania. They returned to an apartment in Wilmington, Delaware following their honeymoon.

Maureen started her education career by accepting a position teaching in the Newark Delaware Special School District in 1967. She taught there until early 1968 when she became pregnant with their first child. Melissa Christine Barber was born in the Wilmington General Hospital on September 5, 1968.

In 1970 Charles was transferred to Waynesboro, Virginia, DuPont Plant. On April 27, 1971, son Launce Reed was born in Waynesboro.

In August 1972 Charles transferred to the Richmond, Virginia, DuPont Textile Fibers Division, and to a new home in the Village of Chester, Virginia, which started a 32 year stay for the family in the Richmond, Virginia area.

While there Maureen was a mother and homemaker until the children started preschool. She returned to teaching as an aid at Wells Elementary School in 1975, Chester, Va., and was hired as a full-time teacher at that school in 1976.

After several years at Wells Elementary, she was invited to teach in Chesterfield County’s first Gifted Education Program. She taught in that program at Henning, Midlothian Middle, and Brandermill Middle schools. Her last years she left teaching to work with a group writing curriculum and instructing teachers still in the Gifted Education Program in Chesterfield County.

Maureen retired from the Chesterfield County Schools in June 2005 with 29 years' service. They completed a retirement home in Bradenton, Manatee County, Florida in January 2004, and moved to it following Maureen’s retirement in June 2005.

Maureen was cremated at Robert Toale & Sons Celebration of Life Center in Bradenton, Florida. Services will be for family only. The family requests that no flowers be sent. Memorial donations may be made to Alzheimer's Association or Tidewell Hospice, which cared for Maureen in her final days.