Of all my teaMcMheMrs at Bexley, Mis Barbara was the one I will always remember. And this is after all these years(62). I will never forget her welcoming, soothing smile that first, scary day of kindergarten. It's a funny thing, but I know i was meant to hear about her passing. I live in Florida, and my girlfriend was at the OSU game that week-end. She called me from the airport, and I asked her to bring me a Sunday Columbus Dispatch, and that is when I leraned of this sad event. I am so sorry for your loss, and for all the many student's losses in Bexley, as she touched so many of our lives. How lucky, though, we were to have her in our lives. I know we are all better for it.
Melanie FMMMMrMMMammmmmnk Moody

What a wonderful teacher she was.  Here I am, 55 years after having had her as a teacher, and I still remember things she said to me.  That's something I can't say about many of my professors from all my years of graduate and post graduate education.  Amy Berger (ne Dwork)

It is a great privilege to be among the thousands who knew and loved Barbara Drugan.  Gratefully, my life and the lives of my parents and children are tightly woven with advice and conversations and hugs from Miss Barbara.  She even arranged my first kiss--Jeff Grossman was Prince Charming and I was Sleeping Beauty in the kindergarten room
program.  Tom and I, our children, Chris and Sarah, and my mother, Phyllis Mulbarger join in the circle of admirers as we remember Miss Barbara with affection.

Condolences to the entire Barbara Drugan Family. Barbara Drugan was our cousin. First cousin to my grandmother Juliet Connors Ryan. Barbara was always remembered and shared stories from her youth with me. Daddy Johnny crying when Rosie decided to become a nun. The horse drawn carriage at my Grandmother's wedding. Babysitting my father, Jimmy, as she called him. In the latter days she would often call me Julie before remembering I was kelly. Barara was the last of that generation. They all had a style that none us can match. Funny thing is-she taught my husband in kindergarten. Until we meet again Barbara. Kelly Ryan Moser.

After reading all the tributes to Miss Barbara, I find her even more amazing. I thought my story was one of a kind, but no...After moving from Bexley to Lexington, Ky, I would return "home" to visit my mom, and happened to see Miss Barbara during one of those visits at Johnson's ice cream shop. I went up to her, she said "don't tell me who you are", and then she proceeded to remember my name, the fact that I wore high top white shoes to school, that I lived in a house close to the corner of Stanwood and Powell, and that I have a brother name Joe. It sounds like she was able to do this with all her students - how is that possible when she taught for 32 years??? Miss Barbara came to our 40th Bexley high reunion a few years ago, and we all so loved seeing her. What a special lady...thank you, Miss Barbara, for being part of my life.

Betty Zuckerman Nigoff

Dear Bill, Family and Friends:

We are so sorry to hear this about Barbara. Barbara was always a good friend to my deceased wife Janet Bowen Taylor and me and our children.  Miss Barbara was a wonderful teacher to our son Frank. Our thoughts, prayers and deepest sympathy to you at this time.

Frank, Virginia, Kathy and Joyce and Cam Taylor

I have fond memories of Miss Barbara.  I did not have her as a teacher, and my children did not, but you would never know it. She remembered each of our girls' names as if they were her own children, and could remember their ages and what dresses they had worn to church that Sunday.  As an Upper Arlington transplant, I soon knew Miss Barbara was integrally sewn into the fabric of Bexley.  She delighted in everything that meant a "traditional" childhood.  On her walks through the neighborhood with her friend's dog, she enjoyed stopping to talk about classic children's literature, especially A. A. Milne's" Winnie the Pooh", and "Now We Are SIx", some of our girls' favorites. She saw the world as black and white, and had little patience for anything that suggested mediocrity; whether in education, child-rearing, teaching, or common decency.  She was a friend of every child, and she will be missed.

Lisa Palmer
Bexley, OH

I remember fondly running into Miss Barbara [not too hard, I didn't hurt her...] and sharing memories. She said she remembered me well as one remembers the good ones and the bad ones, and she had no intention of sharing in which category I fell. She was a great teacher and person.
Chip Rosenblum

Miss Barbara was the key to my wonderful following years at BEXLEY elementary.  Not only was I fortunate to have her but my duaghter Erica Fisher and my son Shane Fisher also had her for their Kindergarten teacher.  She was as wonderful to them as she was to me and very very kind.  I will miss her light int his world!
Diana Harnett Veach

Dear Miss Barbara, she was so loved!  She was a special light in my light, not only in kindergarten but also many years later when I was doing student teaching.  I had had a very difficult day in the classroom and was literally dragging as I plodded down the hall.. I was thinking, maybe this career isn't for me afterall..And like a ray of sunshine, there was Miss Barbara coming towards me from the other end of the hall! Smiling. Softly saying my name. Hugging me. Encouraging me. And I knew I could do it. I could. Her love and acceptance meant everything. And 22 years later, I'm still teaching and fondly remembering Miss Barbara and how much she has meant to my life...
Leslee Jackson Gantner

Miss. Barbara walked over to the peg board table where I was sitting with my Mom on the first day of school in 1954. I had my teddy bear and chenille bedspread at my side. The first thing Barbara said was "you look like a Mike". I had a new name and a new path in life. The next day the teddy and bedspread were gone and I was on my way to socialization and the magic that was life in Bexley. I saw Miss Barbara in 1987 at our 20th BHS reunion and then when my Mom died in 2006. Barbara had words of condolence and her scrapbook of every kindergarten class she ushered into society. She said to me what I have a feeling she said with all sincerity and love to every former student when she told me, "you changed my life". 

Over the years I have told the story of my kindergarten teacher who gave me my name and each time came the opportunity to remember Barbara Drugan who changed my life too.

I have such fond memories of the best teacher ever. It was her smile, her gentleness, and her dedication to her students that allowed us to do our best. My thanks.
Susan  ( Susie )Wasserstrom Valins.

Ms Barbara was someone who I will never forget. To think that being a kindergarten teacher would leave such a impression on  all of us who were lucky to have  her many many years ago.. Years went by and she saw me one day as i moved back to Bexley and my kids had grown and she called me by name as it were yesterday. She never forgot a face or a memory, or a story she could share with whoever wanted to listen. 
       I was able to reintroduce myself to her as a parent and we had many conversation
about life if I happen to be outside and she was walking her friend's dog. I remember telling her "Ms Barbara when your time comes there wil be lines and lines of people to say goodbye to you!! She laughed but now all we can do is share our special memories
so please keep them coming she was truly a great lady who knew no strangers and loved  everyone unconditionally and I will miss her  Goodbye Ms Barbara  Leslie Connor Aynes

We had the blessing of living next to Miss Barb for about 2 years.  She was so kind to us and my 2 children loved her.  They especially loved seeing what she would dress her goose in next:)  I always thought of her as a Grandma to them...we even gave her a pillow one time with a cardinal on it because cardinals always remind me of my own Grandmother.  I have to say my favorite part of her was that feisty side....she always made me laugh:)  I love how she took such pride in our neighborhood.  We will miss you Miss Barb but know you are watching down on us from above.

I was very blessed to be in Miss Barbara's first kindergarten class in Bexley.  Many years later, I was embarrassed when she called me to come and stand before all Bexley teachers while she shared a picture and story about that class.  Her wonderful talent of remembering names always amazed me.  She will truly be missed in the Bexley community by all who were fortunate enough to know her.  Kay Casto Addy

What a truly wonderful lady. She will be missed by so many of us. Miss Barbara was the only teacher that our class invited to our 40th class reunion.  She just seemed like one of us.  Not only did she embrace me each time we met, she also knew my children's names and asked about their health and doings each encounter we had. I truly loved her and allowed her to call me "Lainie", a privilege that I refused my own family members.            elaine schecter grossman  class of 1965

This fine lady really cared about her students and it showed!  I ran into Miss Barbara several times as an adult and she ALWAYS remembered me. This probably had something to do with me getting into a knock down, drag out brawl on the first day of kindergarten with the class bully and subsequently getting paddled by Mr. Stolzenberg and getting suspended by Miss Beebee.  I recall in kindergarten having a bad case of chapped lips and it wasn't that my parents couldn't afford Chapstick or some other type of lip balm, I was just too young and naive to know to ask them to get some for me.    Miss Barbara gave me an entire brand new tube of Chapstick.  She had a sweet and caring manner and I will always remember her fondly.  If they have street corners in heaven then surely she is there helping someone cross safely to the other side.

Lit a candle in memory of Barbara E. Drugan

What life! Not having her as a teacher I knew her as a friend later in life. She remembered Mother and Daddy when they were trying to have children and how special it was when my brother was adopted and how happy they were when I was born. We became fast friends and I was always amazed at the details of her tales...She adored Ruth and Kenny Bush and giggled over Jinnie's resemblance to Ruth at such a young age. We last saw each other at Betty Ann Elliott's funeral and like that day it is sad to lose those you love but a blessing she is with God. Thank you, dear friend for all the lives you have touched as you have ours... Jodi Crosson,  Jinnie Crosson-Bush, and my mother, Jinnie Crosson Nau

She was a special person to anyone that knew her or even heard about all the love she would show towards others. I'll miss stopping my truck to talk to her while she is walking a dog down the Bexley roads. My boys who never had her as a teacher, remember her from the crosswalks, and she always addressed them by name when they would see her on the 4th of July.  Maybe I went to kindergarten for two years just to spend the time with her!!

Miss Barbara was one of the most amazing educators ever. Her love for her children (students)  so positively  impacted their lives that 50 years later they still identlfy her as their favorite teacher.  Decades after having them in her class, she would see them, remember them and even remember stories about them. Though she will always be an icon of Bexley, she will be sadly missed. 
Joyce and Len Schiff

What a neat lady to know. I first met her when I was a clerk @ Eastmoor Pharmacy (E. Main/Enfield.) This was way back in 1978-'79 (my first job while in H.S.)  She was a regular customer; all knew her by name. Most of the time, the only thing she came in for was her carton of "Alpines."  They literally stocked them just for her!  Of course she had an in-house account, something you don't see anymore.  The store owners naturally enjoyed her company; she was the center of attention when she came in. All work "stopped" for her!  She knew my brother by name when he also came to work there.  She & I became fast friends. That's when I learned she was a teacher and lived on Sherwood. She & I had nice little talks.  She really liked me and was always encouraging me.  She made me feel special.  She loved to talk about teaching. She had a great sense of humor, the most lovely white hair, and beautiful sparkling blue eyes. She was an icon all around the Bexley/Eastmoor area & was a faithful member of St. Catharine Church. Years later, I got a kick out of seeing her about town with her companion, as they drove around in his topless convertible.  We'd always say, "There goes Barbara Drugan!!"  She seemed ageless!  She will most certainly be missed by all.  What a great lady.

I adored Miss Barbara!!  Besides seeing her on her famous corner of Fair and Cassingham, everytime I was playing tennis at the Bexley courts, she always came over stopped my game and chatted.  Usually she was walking the Yenkins dog!!  She was not my kindergarten teacher, but she knew every kid in my family whether we had her or not in school.  She never forgot any of our names either.  She will be missed on the corner of Fair and Cassingham.  What an amazing teacher and person.  May she rest in peace!

Beverlee Sokol

Where do I begin.  I went to her class in 1950--The only Kindergarten class in Bexley at Montrose.  She always made me & others feel so special.  And forever after she always addressed me as "Grant Gibson Price".  Then whenever My children were in Bexley schools,, she said " you are Grant Gibson Prices's son/ daughter.  Bexley is such a wonderful community and school system, but she will always remain the BEST!  I now live in South Carolina--but will always remember MISS BARBARA!   I Love you & Know you are In Heaven teaching the children of God.

Grant Price

She was the heart and soul of Cassingham Elementary. Had more children she loved and cared about than just about anybody on Earth! A dear, sweet and very kind lady!! You will be missed Miss Barbara!

Chad Bowen

Without a doubt, Miss Barbara had - even as a kindergartner - the greatest impact on me out of all of my educators...from my Bexley days through law school. She has always had a very special place in my heart -- a bright light for so many students and the Bexley community, as well. I told her in class one day, i trust have been 1975, that I loved her. That has never changed.
My very best to her family. 
Debbie Swedlow

Miss Barbara was one of the nicest, most committed, most passionate teachers I have ever had. The fact that she taught me in kindergarten, and yet still remembered my name (as well, I am sure, as every other student she had) and me each and every time I saw here, was amazing. She cared about each person as an individual and remembered what was going on in their lives. Teaching wasn't just her job - it was her life. She was one of the sweetest ladies and had an indelible mark on me. She will eb missed.

Cindy and family,

Thank you for sharing with me today about your aunt, Miss Barbara. I very much enjoyed learning about her life. It sounds like she was a wonderful aunt, teacher and friend. Please don't hesistate to call if there is anything I can do to help you during this time.

Amy

OBITUARY

Barbara E. Drugan

January 1, 1926 – September 29, 2011

Schoedinger Midtown

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