"I can't remember a time when she wasn't here,"said Madeline Brogan, one of the founders of Mothers Helping Mothers and current President of the Board.
"Barbara was here every Tuesday and Friday. She was also here every Saturday work day- no matter what," said Terry Stottlemyer, one of the founders of Mothers Helping Mothers and current CEO. "She did not even have a car and often took the bus to get here," added Stottlemyer. "She was the most dependable volunteer and we will miss her dearly."
Barbara was honored just a few months ago by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County as an Unsung Hero. She was nominated anonymously, but defintiely deserved the award for the immense amount of herself that she gave to the community and everyone around her. The Community Foundation of Sarasota County described her as follows in their program for the event: "From her chair under a shade tree in the spacious side-yard of her corner lot, Barbara dispenses love, caring and daily acts of kindness wherever they are needed. She walks children to and from their school buses. She’s the safe haven for families with working parents who can’t always supervise their offspring. Holiday dinners, celebrations and birthday parties wouldn’t be the same without “Grandma Barbara’s” macaroni and cheese and fried chicken. She embroiders pillow cases and baby blankets to give as gifts, and shares endless hugs, praise, guidance and concern. “If you love kids and you see that they need something, you’ve got to help them,” she says matter-of-factly."
We at Mothers Helping Mothers are honored to have known Barbara. She came from a large family and was a caregiver for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Barbara and her daughter Tony always showed up to volunteer at Mothers Helping Mothers with loving and giving hearts.
Both MHM founders Brogan and Stottlemyer agree that Barbara was the most unbelieveable volunteer that they have ever seen and will be missed by everyone who knew and loved her.
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