Barbara Joan Herbert Svoboda

On February 12, 2024, Barbara Joan Herbert Svoboda (nee Geelhaar) passed away peacefully. She was the beloved wife of the late Leroy Francis Herbert and the late Harold C. Svoboda; devoted mother of Leroy F. Herbert III, wife Bonnie, Kathryn M. Rowett, late husband Paul, Neil J. Herbert, wife Amy, Barbara L. Herbert, Anita L. Harduvel, husband Art, John R. Herbert; stepmother of Ron, Carolyn, Patty, Barbara, Tom; loving grandmother of Dennis A. Hughes, April L. Slutzky (Matt), Melanie L. Holloway (Damon), Jeffrey L. Herbert (Jen), Matthew L. Herbert (Anne), Patricia Jane Clifton (Tim), Nicholas L. Herbert, Jason S. Rowett (Ashley), Stephanie M. Rongholt (Jake), Paul J. Herbert (Leslie), Peter A. Harduvel (Taylor), Mary Clare Fowler (Ben), Margaret Susan Herbert (Frank); 28 cherished great grandchildren; dear sister of the late William Geelhaar; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Joan was a devoted wife to Leroy F. Herbert, the father of her six children. In her mid-sixties, she married her second husband Harold C. Svoboda. Joan was a stay-at-home mother who raised her children in Baltimore City until the family moved to Perry Hall in 1956. From her home in Perry Hall, she welcomed all the children in the neighborhood to be part of the Herbert family. She earned the reputation of the neighborhood mom. Joan moved to Carney in 1997 where she lived the remainder of her life.

Joan was a student at St. Michaels Overlea, and then a graduate of The Catholic High School of Baltimore. Joan had many hobbies. She was an artist her whole life, painting more than 800 paintings. Her preference of mediums were oils and watercolors. She painted murals at homes and businesses across Baltimore. If you would like to see one, stop by Jerry D’s in Parkville. In her younger years, Joan painted on ties and plates when her little ones were asleep. For years, Joan sketched and painted watercolors of homes for homeowners and realtors. She was an art teacher to home-schooled students for a time. Joan loved to dance, play board games, and play cards. She was a fierce competitor. She also loved to travel, and especially loved her favorite city of Florence, Italy. Joan was an avid reader and learner, even going as far as to take Russian language lessons at 6:00 am for a couple years before prepping her children for the day.

Joan was a leader and loved being a part of community groups. She was both a cub scout den mother as well as a girl scout leader. She led the TOPS group (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) and never lost a pound. In the 90’s, Joan led the SWORD (Single Widowed or Divorced) group at St. Joseph’s Church in Fullerton. From 2000 through 2023, she led the 1st Friday Club at St. Ursula’s Church in Parkville.

Joan loved being a matchmaker. The matchmaking started in high school, introducing her friends to her uncle's who were close in age. She was still a matchmaker in her senior years at her senior clubs at both St. Joseph’s and St. Ursula’s.

Joan was a fan of sports, playing both softball and basketball. She competed at both the recreation council and high school levels. She enjoyed cheering for her home teams: The Colts, The Orioles, The Terps, and The Ravens.

Her family will always remember her for her homemade chocolate covered Easter eggs, her sour beef and dumplings, her chipped beef on toast, and love of nachos in her later years. Her children, grands, and greats will never forget her singing “five golden rings” during her part of the Christmas carol, The Twelve Days of Christmas. Joan loved life, and she will be missed by all who knew her.

Relatives and friends are invited to gather at the Schimunek Funeral Home, Inc., 9705 Belair Road, Nottingham, MD 21236, on Friday, February 16, 2024, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM and 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 17, 2024, at 10:00 AM, at St. Joseph Church of Fullerton, 8420 Belair Road, Nottingham, MD 21236. Interment will follow at the St. Joseph Church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Joan’s name to Operation Smile 36410 Faculty Blvd., Virginia Beach, VA 23453, or http://operationsmile.org.