Barbara Thomas Lima

Barbara T. Lima (born Barbara Louise Thomas) was born on September 16, 1931, in Gaithersburg, MD. Her parents, Margaret Rovenolt and Irvin Thomas, moved to Gaithersburg after marrying. They also had John Thomas, Barbara’s dear brother, that was a few years older. Barbara spent her early years in Gaithersburg, and was drawn to music at an early age, playing the piano and organ beautifully, and participating in the choir and bell group at Grace Methodist Church. After graduating from Gaithersburg High School, Barbara pursued music at Western Maryland College. She then chose to go into nursing and attended Johns Hopkins School of Nursing where she graduated in 1955. It was at Johns Hopkins that she met her husband, Marcelo da Costa Lima, a Brazilian doctor who was completing his residency program in Urology. They were married in 1956, and decided to move to Brazil where they raised their two children, Lucia da Costa Lima and Dr. Geraldo da Costa Lima.

In Brazil, Barbara devoted herself to raising her family in a new culture, and often recounted with humor, adventure, and affection the many stories of her adaptation. Marcelo had a large family, and Barbara became a beloved aunt by many nieces and nephews to whom she taught English and music appreciation. Barbara’s brother, John, married her sister-in-law, Sonja da Costa Lima, and the families’ ties became even more interlinked. She traveled back to the US on many occasions, and finally returned to live in Gaithersburg in 1982. She cared for her mother and helped to raise her granddaughter, Juliana Menucci, while also going back to school to complete her bachelor’s degree in nursing. She worked as an RN at Wilson Healthcare Center (Asbury Methodist Village) for many years until retiring.

Barbara dedicated herself to creating a warm and welcoming home at 12 Brookes Ave in Gaithersburg where many family events were celebrated over the years. She always played the piano at these gatherings and brought us into her heartfelt relationship with music. She loved nature and birds and taught us how to listen to their calls. Attentive to our needs, she was supportive and rejoiced in our achievements. She also enjoyed traveling throughout Brazil, as well as to places like France, Italy, Russia, Indonesia, Australia, Hawaii and Alaska. She is already dearly missed.

Barbara is survived by her children, Lucia da Costa Lima and Geraldo da Costa Lima; grandchildren, Juliana Lima Menucci and Rita Isadora Pessoa; great-grandson, Caio Menucci M. Andrade; nephew, John W. Thomas, and many beloved nieces and nephews, family members and friends in the US and Brazil.

Visitation will be at 10am and funeral services will be held at 11am on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, at Grace Methodist Church (119 North Frederick Ave, Gaithersburg, MD 20877). The burial will be held at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Frederick, MD.