Gifts & Memorial Donations
On Friday, March 17th, 2023, Barbara Louise Crothers, loving wife and friend, passed away at the age of 79.
Barbara was born on July 6th, 1943, in Odenton, Maryland to Lester and Florence Dickson. She married the love of her life, Richard George Crothers, in 1969, and they celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary a few weeks before his death in 2020. Barbara loved to share stories of their many adventures together while stationed with the US Navy in Alaska and the Philippines. In 1982, they settled in Reston, Virginia, where they built a home and made many new friends in the neighborhood. Over the next three decades they remained in touch with dear friends from their Navy days through frequent visits, letters, and phone calls.
Barbara had a knack for storytelling and a remarkable memory for details. She could often be found perusing antique malls and novelty shops in the villages throughout Northern Virginia. Richard would undoubtedly be nearby holding the shopping bags, and you could be sure that a dear friend would be by her side taking part in the funny stories that were being created along the way. Richard and Barbara would also travel up and down the east coast. She would often tell stories of their many visits to Vermont with its natural beauty and charming small-town life, while Richard’s favorite seemed to be the New England coastline.
Barbara leaves behind a legacy of loving friends and two generations of children who came to know her as “Auntie”. She would shower them with hugs and presents, and she loved to share or show her newest book, handbag, or item of jewelry. Her gift wrapping resulted in beautiful master pieces that you would barely want to open. Among all else, she loved the culture and lore of the American West. She was a connoisseur of Native American turquoise art and always had a western playing on the TV.
Barbara Crothers will be long remembered for how much she loved her “dear ones” and her “chosen family”. In the last few weeks of life, she reconnected with many longtime friends. She and Richard will be remembered as a model for how to love one another no matter what life may bring. After his passing, most of her thoughts were centered on when they would meet again. Her family and friends will remember her fondly with a smile in our hearts.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the University of Maryland Brain and Tissue Bank or Virginia Health Hospice. These wonderful organizations helped ease Barbara’s transition with kindness and peace.
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