Audrey and Frank's wedding 8/21/1999 (with Audrey's Uncle Galen)

"The Barbaras" at Audrey's bridal shower - Summer 1999

Barbara was a wonderful colleague. I worked with her at Gaithersburg High School. She was a strong and compassionate leader and a great friend. May she be blessed and her family be comforted by wonderful memories.  May she rest in peace.

The genuine joy that Barbara felt and shared can be seen clearly in this closeup. And the joy she took in celebrating others can be seen on the neighbors’ faces surrounding  her! I am writing this after attending Barbara’s amazing inspirational and humbling  celebration of life where nearly 20 people shared stories of her incredible generosity and joie de vivre!

A photo of beautiful Barbara at a May 2024 bday party in her home for former neighbor Pat.  Barbara was a dedicated friend to Pat and hosted several birthday parties for her over the years.

Brunch with Aunt Barb in Philadelphia, March 2019. It was a fun time at the restaurant followed by the city tour with the best tour guide-our sweet Aunt Barb.

I had the privilege of meeting Barbara during my student-teaching internship, and from the very beginning, her presence made an impact on me. She was full of life, vibrant, encouraging, and genuinely dedicated to the work she loved. It was evident in every conversation and every observation she shared that she was using her gifts to pour into new teachers, helping us grow not only in our practice but also in our confidence.

Barbara became more than a mentor; she quickly became a friend and, in many ways, a mother-figure. Her wisdom, kindness, and unwavering belief in us were felt through every call, every classroom visit, and every piece of feedback she offered with so much care. I will forever carry her words and guidance with me as I continue my journey as an educator.

To Barbara’s family, please accept my deepest condolences. Thank you for sharing her with all of us. Her legacy lives on in the countless lives she touched, and in the teachers she helped shape with her gentle spirit and powerful influence.

May her memory be a blessing to all who loved her.

❤️❤️

I met Barbara while working on curriculum back in the 90’s. I never got the chance to teach in the same school as her, but we became fast friends and met on a regular basis during our long friendship. She also taught 2 of my daughters at Blake HS, and subbed for me after she retired. Barbara was a bright light and a great friend. She was always interested in my life and family and attended many family events. I was always in awe of her energy and upbeat personality, and I loved hearing about her family and how proud she was of them. I have so many happy memories of our times together. I will miss her deeply.

Barbara drove the three hours to come to all of our cousins gatherings. She use to say she was an outlaw, but she really was a true cousin. We all loved her.

I was lucky enough to have Mme Mangraviti as my french teacher at Blake High school for several years. She was always so warm, and energetic, and we always felt so cared for. Sending my condolences to her family. Thank you for sharing her with all of her students all these years.

I met Barbara my first year working in MCPS as a student teacher in 2007. She was already a beloved colleague of my mentor teachers, and I feel lucky to have been introduced to her through them all those years ago. We eventually worked together to support my own student teachers from UMD…a full circle moment! She would always chat with me in French and leave sweet comments on social media whenever I posted photos of my cats! 😍 I will miss her compassion, selflessness, and unconditional positive regard for all.

Enjoying lunch…3 colleagues from Gaithersburg HS. Barbara, Beth, and moi (Esther)

Barbara got me through 4 AP courses in high school, but she also taught me what it was to have a thirst for knowledge. The hours we spent discussing Don Quijote and the Armistice and All the Pretty Horses were some of the most electrifying conversations I've had. 

She was phenomenally kind and endlessly curious. She will be sorely missed.

Barbara has taught me so many things besides French, she thought me about life and how to live it. We had classes for more than 3 years, and I have never seen her sad or anything like that, always with a smile on her face, always patient and kind, always asking about my family and how everyone was doing.

We will all miss you.

Every messages written here has an underlying theme, Madame Mangraviti was truly a selfless and kind human being. She was full of energy and made French not just another subject during your day but an adventure to look forward to. From the bottom of our hearts, we would like to bid Madame Mangraviti adieu.  Votre lumière et votre savoir resteront à jamais gravés dans nos cœurs. Merci pour tout ce que vous nous avez appris.
Avec tout notre cœur,
Vu, Kyu, Yuri Kennedy HS '91

My family is devastated by the news. Barbara has been a part of my life since I was a little girl. Our parents were best friends.  When we moved back to Maryland 21 years ago, she was always a welcome guest at our holiday table, graduation parties for the kids and special events. In the Jewish culture Barbara would be considered a mensch. Someone who thinks of others before herself. She was always there for you when you needed her. You will be greatly missed, Barbara. 
Love always, Eve, Bill, Cole and Sam 💕

I was saddened to hear of Madame Mangraviti’s passing. I was in her French class at Kennedy High School in the 80’s. In addition to being an amazing teacher, she was such a kind person. She will be greatly missed.

Madame Mangraviti was my favorite teacher at Kennedy HS. She taught us French and how was I to know that many years later my French would come in so handy with my work living in Africa. But beyond being a teacher, Barbara Mangraviti was a friend to so many of us. She laughed with us. She provided guidance and love.  In the middle of 11th grade my mother moved out to Burtonsville and drop me off at school every day. Madame Mangraviti often dropped me off at home after school because it was on her way. Can you imagine? Yes I’m sure you can if you know her. Coincidentally, we discovered that her grandparents lived in the same house as my father, they had sold it to him!  So we had Mme Mangraviti over for dinner to show her the house she knew do well. As so many of us know she was a special person and so many of us who knew her loved her so much. She will be missed.

Mrs. Mangriviti was a wonderful teacher. She was universally loved and her class was a place of joy and learning and sharing. Very sorry to hear of her passing all these decades later. She was the best.

Mme Mangraviti will always have a special place in my heart and thoughts. 1991, before I became an MCPS teacher, I was a substitute teacher for Barbara. Years later, I started working at James H. Blake High School where we taught together. She was my mentor, my daughter’s French teacher, my friend.  Mme, vous allez me manquer! Usted, me va hacer falta. 
To Barbara’s daughter, my condolences.

I am deeply saddened by the passing of Mme Barbara Mangraviti. During a significant career transition, when I was unsure of my next steps, I decided to try education and became a substitute teacher. My first long-term assignment was at Black High School, where I taught French. There, in the World Languages Department, I found not only support but proper mentorship, especially from Mme Mangraviti.

She welcomed me with warmth, guided me with patience, and helped me grow into the educator I was becoming. Her kindness and steady belief in others left a profound mark on me. That experience was so meaningful that it set me on the path of service I continue today, as a sports-for-development specialist running an after-school soccer program I started in my native Haiti.

Over the years, I stayed in touch with Mme Mangraviti, and her encouragement never faded. To me, she was more than a mentor; she was a gracious, nurturing presence, a mother figure whose guidance uplifted everyone around her. She truly embodied the dignity of the French title “Madame.”

Her influence lives on in the countless students and colleagues whose lives she touched. May she rest in peace, and may her family find comfort in knowing how deeply she was loved and how far her impact reached.

Grateful to have known her,

James Louis-Charles

I met Barbara through our Ohana mentor group at Wilde Lake. She was an amazing person who gave everything she had to our mentee, Alex. I will miss her very much and I am so saddened by her passing. My thoughts and condolences are with her entire family.

My son was in high school tutoring at Fairchild when he was blessed to connect with Barbara. His first comment when he came home from the first session with her was “Ma - Mrs Barbara reminds me so much of grandma!”  My mother/ his grandma had passed a year prior from a sudden cardiac arrest; and indeed she was much like Barbara - warm, soft spoken, kind hearted, and joyful.  Barbara not only helped tutor Jack, but she made such an impression on him and helped fill that emotional gap that was felt when my mom left this world so suddenly. I’m not sure if Barbara knew any of this, but I want her family to know what a Godsend she was to my son. He is now away at LSU and thriving!  When I shared the news with him he was saddened and said “She really was the best!”   I’m sure his Grandma and Barbara have become fast friends in heaven. ❤️ Praying for all of Barbara’s family and friends.

I taught with Barbara many years ago and always admired and respected her.  She was an outstanding teacher and a wonderful friend.  Rest in peace, Barb.  We'll meet again one day in heaven.

Please accept our deepest condolences. Barb was a warm and  wonderful lady. She was an amazing neighbor and friend. Always cheerful and upbeat. She was a god send to us when our daughter Rachael was in High School. She gave Rachael a ride to school every morning, and they became pals. We will always treasure our memories with Barb. The world has a little less light to share now. Very sincerely, Michelle and Nick Crnkovich

Barb was such a wonderful and infinitely kind, patient woman. I knew her when I was a teen, one of her neighbors, and she used to drive me to school with her every day, out of the goodness of her heart. No matter the hardships, she was always just a bundle of light and goodness. She met the kids at the school where she taught with understanding and empathy (even when they were bringing all of their sass and frustration!). What a sweet soul, she will be greatly missed. My heart goes out to her family. Love, Rachael Krieger.

What a wonderful and beautiful person!
We will definitely miss you! Until we meet again !

OBITUARY

Barbara Jean Mangraviti

August 3, 1945 – November 16, 2025

Witzke Funeral Homes Inc.

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