Barbara Berenthien Deaver

Barbara Berenthien Deaver died January 23, 2022 after a battle with uterine cancer. She was born April 22, 1929 in Savannah, Georgia to Theodor Christian Berenthien and Marian Stubbs Berenthien. She met her life-long love, Bascom, while in high school in Macon, Georgia. After graduating from Texas State College for Women she became a registered occupational therapist. She and Bascom married in 1951. The first years of her married life were devoted to raising her children and supporting her graduate-student husband. After living 8 years in Palo Alto, California, she and her family moved to Charlottesville, VA in 1965. When her daughters were in high school, Barbara began her 20-year career working as an OT at the Children’s Rehab Center. Her commitment to volunteering and helping others was evident in all she did. Westminster Presbyterian Church was a major part of her life. She taught Sunday school, served as an elder, was head of the church library committee, served on the organ committee, was head of the landscape committee, and was an organizer and longtime member of the women’s study group. She also served as PTO president at Walker Junior High School, President of the UVA Women’s Newcomers Group, and later president of the UVA Women’s Club. She served on the board of the Multiple Sclerosis Society and organized and ran the MS swimming program. She also volunteered at Stone Robinson Elementary School library for more than 20 years. Another organization near to her heart was the Emergency Food Network where she volunteered for more than 25 years in many capacities. Her greatest joy was spending time with Bascom, her husband of 70 years. They were rarely separated, and they genuinely enjoyed being together. They almost always held hands, whether it was walking down the sidewalk or sitting together in church. They have three daughters, Diane Deaver Goodrich (Walter) of Palmyra, Emily Deaver of Oxford, MS and Susan Deaver Gaston (Gary) of Oxford, MS, two grandsons, Bryan Deaver Gaston (Holly) of Portland, OR and Wade Hampton Goodrich of Charlottesville, and a beloved group of nieces and nephews. Besides her family, her greatest passions were reading, gardening, cooking and sewing. Her vast vocabulary constantly amazed us; she embraced the native shade plants of Virginia by creating a wonderland in the backyard, and her cooking skills were the inspiration for a family cookbook. Friends often commented on her radiant smile, her calm and gracious personality, and her relentless positivity. Her selfless devotion to being a mother and grandmother made her the heart of the family and a role model and inspiration to many. She is survived by her brother Theodor Christian Berenthien, Jr. and was preceded in death by her sisters Betty Berenthien Wilson, Helen Berenthien and Marian Berenthien Platt. Due to COVID, a memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorial gifts may be sent to Westminster Presbyterian Church, 400 Rugby Road, Charlottesville, VA 22903.