Barbara O. Reed

Barbara O. Reed, passed away peacefully on July 20, 2022, surrounded by her children, at the age of 88 years.

Growing up in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and having 12 years of perfect attendance at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church helped to mold Barbara into a loving and caring person. Even after her family moved to Delaware, she would wake up early on Sunday morning and drive to Lancaster to sing in the choir. She always had a special place in her heart for Lancaster especially Lancaster County cookbooks and food.

Barbara was employed at the University of Delaware and was the Executive Assistant to the Dean of Students. During this time, she met the love of her life, Rodney Reed. They were married in 1958 and built their dream home on Limestone Road. Barbara and Rodney shared a love of collecting wooden duck decoys and waterfowl memorabilia. They were very active members of Ducks Unlimited.

Barbara was an exceptional hostess and loved entertaining. Reading and teaching were her passions and she loved learning about new things, fashion and doing crafts. She was incredibly creative and taught many people to decorate cakes. She planned great family vacations and enjoyed travel and meeting new people. Her grandchildren, Reed and Colby Bidgood, became her main focus after they were born.

Barbara was predeceased by her husband Rodney and her parents Caroline and Clarence (Obie) Oberholtzer. She is survived by her son Hunter, daughter and son-in-law Heather and Tom Bidgood, and her grandsons Reed and Colby Bidgood.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Barbara’s name can be made to Ebenezer United Methodist Church, 525 Polly Drummond Hill Road, Newark, DE 19711.