Barbara Ellen McDonald
After a long illness, on January 25, 2024, Barbara Ellen McDonald, age 82 of Martinsburg, WV, formerly of Sykesville, MD, went to be with the Lord.
Barbara was born in Philadelphia, PA, December 26, 1941 to the late Della Gayhardt and Frank James Palmer. Her formative years were spent at the Baptist Orphanage, Philadelphia, PA. At 12 years of age, she was reunited with her mother and stepfather, the late Raymond Gayhardt and sisters the late Elizabeth Mae Knighton, the late Anna Louise Jones and Rose Marie Shindle. Barbara grew up in Baltimore, MD graduating from Patterson Park High School, 1959. Following high school, Barbara received a full scholarship to attend Sinai Hospital School of Nursing. She graduated in 1962 and became certified as a Registered Nurse (RN).
Barbara was known for her boundless energy and her creative talent. She felt her purpose in life was to serve others. She served her family and her St. Agnes Catholic Church family by being an Extraordinary Minister, a member of the St. Agnes Pastoral Council, and Sunday’s 10:30 Mass Coordinator. She also enjoyed preparing meals and feeding the homeless of Jefferson County once a month.
As a Registered Nurse, Barbara developed and ran a psychosocial care and well being health center to serve deinstitutionalized mental health patients in Carroll County, MD. Then as a Financial Aide Administrator, employed by Loyola College, Baltimore, MD, Barbara got a chance to develop her creative talents, taking several elective courses in art and history. In 1991, Barbara earned a Bachelor of Arts, Magna Cum Laude degree. Barbara’s newly discovered art talent led her to becoming a member of The Apple Valley Society of Decorative Painters and a position teaching “Decorative Painting” at Howard County Community College, Howard County, MD.
Barbara wore many hats, serving her family, friends, and neighbors as a wife, mother, teacher, Registered Nurse, and successful businesswoman. She opened “Folk Art by Hickory Home” which produced painted furniture and decorative gifts for the home. In 1974, Barbara was elected council woman, and appointed deputy mayor of Mine Hill, NJ. In her later years, Barbara’s greatest joy was to make and send greeting cards to friends and family members, using her artistic talents to bring a smile and warm their hearts.
As the family grew, Barbara and her family lived in MD, FL, CA, WA, NJ, back to MD, then to WV, back to FL, and finally retiring in the Shepherdstown/Martinsburg areas of WV with her husband, Henry Peter McDonald Jr., from Rockland, MA.
Henry and Barbara married on February 24, 1963. Barbara is survived by her 5 children; Henry Peter McDonald III, Kathleen Anne Cooke, Michael Diskin McDonald, Meghan Marie McDonald, and Daniel Matthew McDonald, as well as her sister, Rose Marie Shindle, her nieces and nephews and her beloved dog, Mr. Darcy.
A mass to celebrate Barbara’s life will be held at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 106 S. Duke Street, Shepherdstown, WV on Saturday, February 24, 2024 at 11:00 am, preceded by a visitation hour at 10:00 am. Barbara will be interred at the St. Agnes Columbarium directly following the service.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial gift may be made to St. Agnes Catholic Church or to Best Friends Animal Society.