Barbara May Mendrala

Barbara—known lovingly as Bobbi—was born on September 20, 1958, in Marlborough, Massachusetts, to Leslie E. Sanders and Helen E. (Thompson) Sanders. She grew up in Massachusetts and earned her degree from Westfield State College. She married Douglas Warren Mendrala on May 24, 1986, in Marlborough. Bobbi dedicated much of her working life to serving others. She worked in special needs care and childcare for 14 years, spent twenty years in retail with Sears, and most recently served as a TSA Enrollment Officer with Staples, where she worked for four years. Throughout her career, she was known for her reliability, kindness, and steady presence. Over the years, she was involved in several church communities, including Grace Episcopal Church in Baldwinsville, New York; St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Snellville, Georgia; and most recently Greenville United Methodist Church in Greenville, Virginia.

In her younger years, Bobbi loved the outdoors—especially hiking, camping, and spending time at the ocean. She cherished traveling throughout New England with family and friends, with favorite destinations including Maine, Rhode Island, and Cape Cod. As her children grew, Bobbi poured her energy into supporting them: helping her son practice the cello and making sure her daughter was prepared for every dance recital and competition. Later in life, she found joy in reading, browsing antique stores, and caring deeply for her beloved pets—her “girls.”

Bobbi is survived by her husband, Doug Mendrala; her children, Bradley S. (Brad) Mendrala and Katelynn M. (Katie) Mendrala; Katie’s husband, Brian G. Oldiges; and her brother, Leslie A. (Sandy) Sanders. She was preceded in death by her parents, Leslie and Helen Sanders.

A celebration of life service will be held at Greenville United Methodist Church on Thursday, May 14, at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, a memorial can be made in Bobbi’s memory to Greenville United Methodist Church.

The family wishes to extend sincere thanks to the staff at Augusta Health in Fishersville, especially Elizabeth, RN, and Stephanie, RN, for the compassionate care shown to Bobbi.

Arrangements entrusted to the Stuarts Draft Chapel of Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Homes.

Relatives and friends may share condolences and memories with the family online by visiting www.reynoldshamrickfuneralhomes.com