Barbara Jane Dorn

Barbara Jane (Monroe) Dorn, 94, passed away in the early hours of January 20, 2026 surrounded by her family and the kind nurses, and aides at Wesley Glen Retirement Community where she resided for the past fifteen years. She was preceded in death by her parents Leverett C. Monroe and Thelma Grace (Knapp) Monroe and her sisters Margot and Phyllis.

Born February 26, 1931 at Seattle General Hospital in Washington State, Barbara grew up on the west coast. She graduated from Pomona College and then obtained her Master of Education from Stanford University. She expressed her love of science and the environment by teaching creative projects in her elementary classroom in Southern California. After sailing to Europe as the ship’s cook, she met her future husband while racing sail boats in San Francisco Bay. Charles Richard Dorn “Dick” was an Ohio-born and -raised veterinary public health researcher. They started their family in Berkeley California. Richard then found permanent university positions in the Midwest–first Columbia, Missouri; followed by Columbus, Ohio. Barbara participated in the University Women’s Club at The Ohio State University, enjoying the club’s gourmet group, garden club, book club, and investing group. They found community at Liberty Presbyterian Church and with the Alum Creek Sailing Club. She enjoyed accompanying Dick on academic trips around the world and spent a year sabbatical with her family in London. Very socially conscious and community engaged, Barbara was a member of the International Wives Club and taught English to newcomers to Columbus. She was a passionate dancer & singer and was in the choir at Wesley Glen. Important life milestones were celebrated with family and friends in San Miguel de Allende Mexico and Sanibel Island where they loved to travel.

Barbara is survived by her son, Michael Dorn; daughters, Lorissa (Dorn) Wright and Margot Dorn; and her grandchildren, Collin, Michelle, and Russell.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Liberty Presbyterian Church in Delaware, Ohio, on February 21 at 10 am. Interment will be at the Range Township Cemetery in Midway, Ohio.

In lieu of flowers those who wish can donate to the Alzheimer’s Foundation. Arrangements made by Schoedinger Worthington Chapel.