Barbara Anne Wanamaker

Barbara Anne Wanamaker (nee Keck) of Cary, North Carolina passed away on October 20th, 2026 at the age of 71. She was born on March 23rd, 1955 in Inglewood, California to Doreen Keck (nee Abress) and Frederick Keck. She grew up in Huntington Beach, California with her younger brother David Keck, and graduated from Fountain Valley High School in 1973.

She met Kip Wanamaker in December 1974 where they both attended St. Luke’s Orthodox Church in Garden Grove, California. They were married in 1977 and later had two daughters: Rebecca in 1981 and Katherine in 1984. Though Barbara and Kip later divorced, they remained close friends and were both active in their children and grandchildren’s lives.

Barbara believed in living actively and loudly, never shrinking her personality to fit a predetermined mold. A bohemian and free spirit at heart, she was always ready for a party or to wander aimlessly for hours through an art museum. Her megawatt smile, disarming laugh, penchant for bright clothing & decor, and unending loyalty won her many friends across the country. She was a fierce defender of the Orthodox Christian Faith and channeled her passion by managing the church bookstore and sitting on her local parish council. A lifelong musician and supporter of the arts, Barbara was actively involved in her high school band, church choirs, the Ventura Master Chorale in Ventura, California and later the North Carolina Master Chorale in Raleigh.

Barbara’s passion and empathy also extended to the medical field where she worked as laboratory assistant at Pacifica Hospital in Huntington Beach after graduating high school. She then became a certified medical coder, first working at the Sansum Clinic in Santa Barbara and then at Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura. She retired from Community Memorial Hospital in 2021 after over 20 years of service.

She was preceded in death by her father Frederick, brother David and mother Doreen. She is survived by her daughters Rebecca King and Katherine Richards, and granddaughters Olivia and Oriya Richards.

The family would like to thank Kip Wanamaker, Christine Philben, Danielle Cameron, and Catherine Dunn along with the Hillcrest Convalescent Center nurses and staff for the care and compassion they showed Barbara in her final days.

The funeral service will be held at Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Church, 5408 Tryon Road, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606 on October 31st, 2026 at 10:00am. Interment will follow at Raleigh Memorial Park, 7501 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27612 at 11:30am.

Family and friends are invited to attend a lunch following internment at Hickory Tavern in Cary, 1156 Parkside Main Street, Cary, NC 27519.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Barbara’s honor to the St. Barbara Monastery at 15799 Ojai Road, Santa Paula, CA 93060.

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