Barbara J. Scheffer

She is preceded in death by her father, Ned and mother, Blanche of Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Barbara is survived by her lifelong friend, Carole Schulz and her children, Leonard Schulz and Stefanie (Schulz) Davidson of Palm Beach Gardens and Singer Island, Florida, respectively, and their families, as well as her cousin, Patty Elliott of New Bern, North Carolina.

Barbara attended Lancaster Catholic High School, Lancaster, Pennsylvania and went on to attend and graduate from Pennsylvania State University.

After college, Barbara served as Director of Volunteer Services at the Harrisburg State Hospital during the 1960’s and 1970’s. Barbara helped forge a vision of a better world for people experiencing autism, intellectual disabilities and mental health challenges. Barbara served as Keystone Human Services, Second Board Chair in 1974, alongside her colleague, Dennis W. Felty, and helped lay the foundation for Keystone Human Services’ future role as a global advocate for human rights and justice for children and adults experiencing disabilities. Barbara served as a Member of Keystone’s Corporation for 50 years continuing her contribution as an outstanding Servant Leader. Her leadership helped lay the foundation for great change that would evolve over the ensuing 50 years. Her passion and leadership made a powerful contribution to Keystone Human Service and her life will live on in the lives of the thousands of people her advocacy impacted.

In 1985, Barbara moved to Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, to live with her friend, Carole and her children while she attended Nova Law School. Upon graduating with her Doctorate of Law degree, she worked briefly for the Legal Aid Society. Shortly thereafter she found her passion for the law by becoming a professor at Palm Beach State College, Eissey Campus, teaching in the para-legal program for 30 years. She retired from Palm Beach State College in 2017.

While teaching at Palm Beach State College, Barbara also worked at the law office of Mitchell J. Beers, P.A. You could often find her working into the night and on weekends in the office with local attorney and close friend, Cindy D’Agostino, where she specialized in appeals and civil rights litigation. She was a brilliant analyst and researcher. Barbara argued many cases before the Fourth District Court of Appeals as well as other District Courts in Florida, and the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals during her more than three decades of practice. Barbara was also a member of the Florida Democratic Voter Protection team where she handled legal issues arising during the mid term and general elections over the past twenty years. She was passionate about the law and a champion of civil rights.

Barbara touched many lives during her lifetime, as a professor, as an attorney, and as a friend. She will be missed dearly by those who knew her.

There will be a celebration of life at Aycock-Riverside Funeral Home,1112 Military Trail, Jupiter, Florida, on Friday, September 13, 2024, from 6:00 pm to 8:00pm.