The daughter of the late Conrad William Bohman and Kathleen Bridgford Bohman, Barbara was born on October 16, 1927 in Rochester, New York.
She graduated from Brighton High School and Eastman school of Music, earning recital honors. She attended Connecticut College for Women in New London, where she participated in many activities including art and theater. She received her B. A. Degree from Connecticut College in 1949 and later she earned a Master’s Degree in Education from the State University of New York. Barbara taught Elementary school at Brighten in Rochester and, as an exchange teacher, she taught for a year in Hawaii. It was while she was teaching in Hawaii that she met her husband-to-be Bill Pond in 1954.
On December 12, 1955, Barbara married William Byrd Pond, who survives. Also surviving are two sons, William B. Pond, Jr. of Blacksburg, VA and Edward Cameron Pond of Harrisonburg, VA; a grandson, Andrew Pond, presently in US Air Force, and wife, Crystal, and great granddaughter, Isadora. A sister, Nancy B. Rance, niece, Kathleen M. Rhodes and nephew, Stewart McCormick, all of Boca Raton, FL, also survive her.
Barbara was active in community life, often serving in leadership roles. She served as President of the Harrisonburg Woman’s Club and was 30-year project Chairman for Amblyopic Eye Testing of kindergarten and nursery school children in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County. She was President of Linville-Edom FCE (Extension Homemakers), President of Shenandoah Valley Garden Club, active member of the PEO, and worked for many years in the County Fair Handicraft and Homemakers area.
As a longtime member of Harrisonburg Baptist Church, Barbara served for over thirty-five years on the Food Services Committee. This group organized and served weekly Wednesday night suppers and many special receptions.
Barbara was a talented seamstress who made her own clothes for many years. She loved the natural world, especially animals, and she adored little children.
She valued the years she and Bill lived on the farm in Edom, VA, where they spent three years restoring an old stone home that had been built in 1819. Once restoration was completed, the home was certified as a Historical Landmark by the Virginia Historical Society.
Barbara and Bill enjoyed traveling. They traveled extensively throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and the Caribbean.
Visitation will be at Lindsey Funeral Home in Harrisonburg, on Thursday, January 19, 2023 between 6:00 and 8:00 pm.
A memorial service will be on Friday, January 20, 2023 at 2:00 pm in Strite Auditorium, Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community, Harrisonburg, VA, with Rev. Matt Winters and Rev. Steve Landis officiating.
Following the service, friends may greet the family and enjoy a time of fellowship and light refreshments.
Private burial will be in Westhampton Memorial and Cremation Park in Richmond, VA.
Memorial contributions may be sent to Harrisonburg Baptist Church, 501 South Main Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22801; Rockingham – Harrisonburg SPCA, P. O. Box 143, Harrisonburg, VA 22803 or Salvation Army, 185 Ashby Avenue, Harrisonburg, VA 22802.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.lindseyfuneralhomes.com.
