Barbara A. Hoover passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family on Saturday, December 2, 2023. She was 92.
Barbara Jean Alabaster was born in 1931, to Francis and Ellen Alabaster. She grew up in Highland Park, New Jersey, and the family later moved to Wilmington, Delaware. Barbara received an AB from the college of William and Mary in 1953, and a Master of Education in 1976 from the University of Delaware.
At William and Mary, Barbara met and married David Rittenhouse, and they moved back to Wilmington. She and David had three children: Lynn, David, and Kay. The couple eventually divorced. Barbara married Conrad (Connie) Hoover in 1975, and her family grew with the addition of Connie’s children: Kathe, Christine, and Andrew.
Barbara began her teaching career at Tower Hill School in 1973. She pursued her master’s degree in education while teaching full-time. She taught third and fourth grades and later became the 7th and 8th grade Reading Coordinator. Barbara loved teaching, and in 1990 she received the Kitchel Chair award at Tower Hill demonstrating excellence in educational leadership and a love for students. She retired from teaching in 1994.
Barbara was also active serving the community. In her younger years she served on the Junior Board of the Delaware Hospital and in the Junior League of Delaware. Barbara was also very active in the P.E.O. sisterhood, which was near and dear to her heart. She worked to further the cause of helping women obtain funding for education. She served as president of Chapter D, President of the Delaware State Chapter, and spent six years as a trustee of the P.E.O. International Foundation.
Barbara was also an active member at Westminster Presbyterian Church where she served as a deacon and Stephen Minister for many years. She had a beautiful voice and sang for many years in the Westminster Presbyterian Church Choir. She also sang leading roles with the Savoy Company in Philadelphia.
While Barbara accomplished so much professionally, and in the community, her biggest impact was on her family and the people she touched. She was a talented seamstress and prolific quilter. She spent countless hours making beautiful quilts for all her “dear ones”. She had a huge heart, a beautiful, shining soul, and boundless love for her family and friends.
Barbara was pre-deceased by her husband, Connie Hoover, and step-son, Andrew Hoover. She is survived by her children: Lynn (John) Green, David (Mary) Rittenhouse, Kay (Tim) McDonald, and stepdaughters: Kathe (Scott) Hill and Christine (Hank) Harding. In addition, she is survived by her sister, Pat Phares, her nephew, Marc Phares, her niece, Holly Phares, and her sister-in-law and friend, Pat Rittenhouse. She had nine grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, nine step-grandchildren, and six step-great-grandchildren.
A service is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Friday, December 15th in the Sanctuary of Westminster Presbyterian Church located at 1502 West 13th St. in Wilmington. The service will be live streamed and is available on this link – https://www.youtube.com/live/TnJnQ_586rk?si=gbitHw0-oHF8OBQQ
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1502 West 13th St., Wilmington, Delaware 19806, or Maris Grove Resident Care Fund, 100 Maris Grove Way, Glen Mills, PA 19342.
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