Barbara Jean McCarthy

Barb is survived by her children, Kristin (Jay) and Dan (Katie); her cherished grandchildren, Emma Hansen, Bradley McCarthy, Sara Hansen, Ryan McCarthy, and Patrick McCarthy; and many beloved nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, David; her parents, Margaret and John Kiger; and her brother, John Kiger.

Barb was born in Columbus, Ohio, on October 17, 1952. She graduated from Whetstone High School in 1972 and remained a proud alumna throughout her life. She maintained close relationships with her classmates and played a leading role in organizing regular reunions, treasuring the friendships that spanned decades.

She had a strong faith in God and was an active member of Worthington United Methodist Church. There, she served on the Creative Play Center Board and the finance committee, oversaw the preparation of communion each month, and faithfully served as an acolyte in worship. In church, as in every part of her life, Barb was warm, welcoming, and deeply relational. She cultivated lasting friendships and made people feel seen, valued, and loved.

Above all else, family was Barb’s greatest joy. Her grandchildren were the light of her life. She was an ever-present supporter of all their endeavors — on soccer pitches, in performance halls, in gyms — wherever her grandkids were doing what they loved, she was there cheering them on. Barb relished being a grandmother and took immense pride in each of them, always eager to hear their stories or share their accomplishments with anyone who would listen. Her devotion to family extended beyond her role as “Grandma.” She was dependable, generous, and selfless; if you needed help, Barb was often the first to show up.

We will miss so many things about Barb — her warmth, her determination, her hugs, her peanut brittle and peppermint bark at Christmas. But most of all, we will miss her steady presence, her boundless love, and the way she made our lives better simply by being in them.

A visitation for Barb will be held at Schoedinger Worthington, located at 6699 N High Street, Worthington, Ohio, on Feb. 25, from 4-7 p.m. Another visitation will take place at Worthington United Methodist Church, 600 High St, Worthington, Ohio, on Feb. 26 from 10-11 a.m. A memorial service will follow at the same location from 11 a.m. to noon.