Barbara Jane Berry Poffenbarger

Barbara Jane Berry Poffenbarger, a beloved mother and wife, skilled textile artist, and community service leader, passed away on November 7, 2024 at the age of 72. She was a longtime Frederick County resident and passed away at Kline Hospice House with her family by her side. 

Barbara was born on April 30, 1952 in Trieste, Italy to Colonel Maurice Berry and Grace Guelich Berry. She spent her youth on the move, traveling throughout Europe and living in numerous cities based on her father’s military assignments. She graduated from North Fulton High School in Atlanta and subsequently completed a Bachelor of Arts degree at Rollins College in 1974 and a Master of Education degree at University of Georgia in 1975. During this time, she met her husband, Max Poffenbarger. They bonded over their love of crafts, hiking in the Georgia mountains, and animals.

After many years of moving and special time spent with her family in Atlanta, Barbara found a community in Walkersville, Maryland. She was a special education teacher at Rock Creek School before focusing on motherhood full-time. She had two daughters, Hope and Hanna, and whole-heartedly supported their scholastic, creative, and athletic endeavors. She also served as a Girl Scout leader and head coach of the Walkersville Tennis Team, which they participated in. 

Barbara had a dachshund by her side for most of her life. Her love for animals and understanding of human-animal companionship helped to bring to life the dream that she and Max shared for operating a veterinary clinic. At Poffenbarger Veterinary Clinic, she served as office manager and made the staff feel like family for 20 years. Subsequently, from 2006 until her retirement in 2017, she worked as a volunteer coordinator at Frederick Health Hospital.

Barbara always found time to pursue her passions for tennis, sewing, gardening, and volunteering. She was active in the Frederick tennis community, playing twice a week for most of her adult life. She loved sewing and mastered several specialties over the years, from clothing and dolls to seasonal decorations and quilts. She was a Frederick County Master Gardener and created a beautiful garden at her home in Frederick. She also enjoyed lending a helping hand in her community whenever possible - volunteering at church dinners, senior lunches, and Frederick Health auxiliary.

To know Barbara was to love her. She shared smiles and laughter generously, had a wonderful sense of humor, and a reassuring disposition. She leaves behind hundreds of quilts, lifelong friends, adoring pets, and a smile that will never be forgotten.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Allison Berry, sister Susan Berry, and husband, Max Poffenbarger. Barbara is survived by her daughters Hope Poffenbarger, Hanna Poffenbarger (Jackson Osborne), sister Kathy Johnson, and step-sons, Greg Trexler (Kate Yang) and Scott Trexler (Angie Hartman), and their families. 

The family wishes to thank the Stockman Cancer Center, Right at Home, and the Kline Hospice House for their attentive care during recent months.

The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 23, 2024 at Stauffer Funeral Home, 1621 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick, with a celebration of life service to begin at 2 p.m.

Expressions of sympathy may be offered to the family at StaufferFuneralHome.com.