Barb passed away peacefully on Friday, July 19, 2024. She was born to Donald and Eloise Harbaugh on February 1, 1948, in Hagerstown, MD. She grew up in the EUB church and was an active life-long church member in United Methodist churches. In 1966 she graduated from South Hagerstown High School and earned a scholarship to Washington College, in Chestertown, MD. As a first-year student she attended a soccer game with her parents and some family friends. She had never seen a soccer game, so she asked the guy seated behind her about the rules of the game. That guy was Dan Measell who she would eventually marry. In 1970 she earned a BA degree in psychology with a concentration in math.
After graduation Barb earned a scholarship to NC State University and enrolled in the Master of Psychology degree program where Dan was finishing his Master of Economics degree. They married in June 1971.
Barb’s first and only job in married life was with the Center for Naval Analyses where she was a data resource analyst. She worked there for over 34 years and retired in 2007. Outside of work, Barb enjoyed cross stitch, knitting, gardening, reading Janet Evanovich novels, volunteering at her church, and raising her children.
She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Dan Measell, and two wonderful daughters, Donna McMullen of Forest, VA, and Rebecca ‘Becky’ Owens, PhD, of Leesburg, VA, who are married to The Reverend Bradley ‘Brad’ McMullen and Thomas ‘Tommy’ Owens, two strong and supportive husbands. She is the grandmother to four talented grandchildren, Ella and Luke (Donna and Brad) and Theodore ‘Teddy’ and Alison (Becky and Tommy).
A funeral service to celebrate her life will be held at Peace UMC, 801 Maple Grove Drive, Fredericksburg, VA, on Saturday, July 27, 2024, at 1:00 PM with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, a contribution to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Avenue, Floor 17, Chicago, IL. 60601 would be welcome.
