Barbara Ann Grant
August 18, 1944 ~ February 9, 2022
Barbara Grant, devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away on February 9, 2022, following a lengthy battle with metastatic cancer.
Barbara was born on August 18, 1944, in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, to John and Mary Rensko. She grew up in nearby Seward, Pennsylvania, and graduated from Laurel Valley High School, class of 1962. She attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania for two years before relocating to Washington, DC, where she was employed first by the U.S. Information Agency and then the Communication Satellite Corporation.
In Washington Barbara met a young Naval officer, LTJG Bill Grant, through introduction by mutual friends on what was the luckiest day of his life. They were married on a sunny September day in 1970. Barbara and Bill moved to Topeka, Kansas, in 1971, after Bill’s release from active duty to attend law school. Barbara was employed in temporary stints with the Office of the Kansas Attorney General and the Kansas State Senate but devoted her heart to raising young son Timothy. Bill returned to active Navy duty in 1974 and Barbara joined him in assignments in Great Lakes, Illinois, where son Daniel was born, and San Diego, California, before returning to the Washington area in 1980. They settled in Vienna, Virginia, where they made a home for more than 32 years. Barbara made many friends as a mom attending Little League and soccer games, being active in PTA at Tim and Dan’s schools, and in the neighborhood. Barbara returned to college and graduated in 1984 from George Mason University. They moved to Potomac Falls, Virginia, following retirement in 2012.
For the last many years Barbara’s main focus has been her beloved grandchildren. She was fortunate that in retirement seven of the nine lived nearby. More than anything she enjoyed spending time with them, doing crafts, reading stories, taking them to gymnastics or a bookstore, or going on all matter of shopping trips. She enjoyed their company on beach vacation trips and Friday pizza nights while their parents enjoyed a night out. The oldest are now college students but the youngest are still there to repeat the joys their older siblings brought.
Barbara also enjoyed reading and filled Kindles and IPADS with the popular fiction writers of the day. She also enjoyed keeping in touch with some former classmates from Laurel Valley and engaging in the political arguments our nation endures. She enjoyed travel and in retirement traveled with Bill on several trips to Europe each time taking an auto trip through a single country. She especially enjoyed Ireland, visiting three times. The last trip was in 2019, where she was able to enjoy a beautiful view of the sea from the hotel room windows. She also visited 47 states (sorry Arkansas and Dakotas). Some trips produced exciting adventures like a planned helicopter ride in Kauai or her unplanned air ambulance helicopter ride from Yellowstone to the fine hospital in Idaho Falls.
Above all Barbara just enjoyed being herself, searching for that perfect chocolate chip cookie.
The last two years were unkind to Barbara’s health as she struggled with cancer. She lost mobility as the metastasis increased. But she tried her best to keep going through chemotherapy, radiation, and physical therapy.
Barbara and Bill enjoyed more than 51 years of marriage. Of course, they did not agree on everything, like television, but they did on the important things, and isn’t that what counts. They also had a true love for each other, if not always spoken. They were able to host a anniversary luncheon on September 19, 2020, at an outdoor venue, 50 years to the day of their wedding.
Barbara is survived by Bill, by their two sons Timothy (Wendy) and Daniel (Lora), and by nine grandchildren: Adam, Hannah, Reid, John, Mary, Patrick, Mercy, Lily, and Carolyn. She is also survived by sisters Carol Mitchel and Judy Henderson, and a brother, Rick Rensko (Deb), and by nieces and Monica, Rene, and Nicole and a nephew, Zach, by several grand nieces and nephews, and by best friend and devoted sister-in-law, Mary Ellen. She is predeceased by her parents and by a granddaughter, Nadia.
A private funeral mass for family is February 14, 2022 and a memorial service is to be held at Grace Presbyterian Church, Vienna, Virginia, at 11:00, February 15, 2022, lunch to follow. Burial at Arlington National Cemetery on a later date.
A contribution to a charity of your choice is welcomed in lieu of flowers, and the request is that flowers, if chosen, not be sent to the funeral home. Barbara’s favorite charities typically involved direct aid and included the Navy Relief Society, the Committee to Help Others of Vienna, Virginia, and area food banks.
Barbara was born on August 18, 1944, in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, to John and Mary Rensko. She grew up in nearby Seward, Pennsylvania, and graduated from Laurel Valley High School, class of 1962. She attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania for two years before relocating to Washington, DC, where she was employed first by the U.S. Information Agency and then the Communication Satellite Corporation.
In Washington Barbara met a young Naval officer, LTJG Bill Grant, through introduction by mutual friends on what was the luckiest day of his life. They were married on a sunny September day in 1970. Barbara and Bill moved to Topeka, Kansas, in 1971, after Bill’s release from active duty to attend law school. Barbara was employed in temporary stints with the Office of the Kansas Attorney General and the Kansas State Senate but devoted her heart to raising young son Timothy. Bill returned to active Navy duty in 1974 and Barbara joined him in assignments in Great Lakes, Illinois, where son Daniel was born, and San Diego, California, before returning to the Washington area in 1980. They settled in Vienna, Virginia, where they made a home for more than 32 years. Barbara made many friends as a mom attending Little League and soccer games, being active in PTA at Tim and Dan’s schools, and in the neighborhood. Barbara returned to college and graduated in 1984 from George Mason University. They moved to Potomac Falls, Virginia, following retirement in 2012.
For the last many years Barbara’s main focus has been her beloved grandchildren. She was fortunate that in retirement seven of the nine lived nearby. More than anything she enjoyed spending time with them, doing crafts, reading stories, taking them to gymnastics or a bookstore, or going on all matter of shopping trips. She enjoyed their company on beach vacation trips and Friday pizza nights while their parents enjoyed a night out. The oldest are now college students but the youngest are still there to repeat the joys their older siblings brought.
Barbara also enjoyed reading and filled Kindles and IPADS with the popular fiction writers of the day. She also enjoyed keeping in touch with some former classmates from Laurel Valley and engaging in the political arguments our nation endures. She enjoyed travel and in retirement traveled with Bill on several trips to Europe each time taking an auto trip through a single country. She especially enjoyed Ireland, visiting three times. The last trip was in 2019, where she was able to enjoy a beautiful view of the sea from the hotel room windows. She also visited 47 states (sorry Arkansas and Dakotas). Some trips produced exciting adventures like a planned helicopter ride in Kauai or her unplanned air ambulance helicopter ride from Yellowstone to the fine hospital in Idaho Falls.
Above all Barbara just enjoyed being herself, searching for that perfect chocolate chip cookie.
The last two years were unkind to Barbara’s health as she struggled with cancer. She lost mobility as the metastasis increased. But she tried her best to keep going through chemotherapy, radiation, and physical therapy.
Barbara and Bill enjoyed more than 51 years of marriage. Of course, they did not agree on everything, like television, but they did on the important things, and isn’t that what counts. They also had a true love for each other, if not always spoken. They were able to host a anniversary luncheon on September 19, 2020, at an outdoor venue, 50 years to the day of their wedding.
Barbara is survived by Bill, by their two sons Timothy (Wendy) and Daniel (Lora), and by nine grandchildren: Adam, Hannah, Reid, John, Mary, Patrick, Mercy, Lily, and Carolyn. She is also survived by sisters Carol Mitchel and Judy Henderson, and a brother, Rick Rensko (Deb), and by nieces and Monica, Rene, and Nicole and a nephew, Zach, by several grand nieces and nephews, and by best friend and devoted sister-in-law, Mary Ellen. She is predeceased by her parents and by a granddaughter, Nadia.
A private funeral mass for family is February 14, 2022 and a memorial service is to be held at Grace Presbyterian Church, Vienna, Virginia, at 11:00, February 15, 2022, lunch to follow. Burial at Arlington National Cemetery on a later date.
A contribution to a charity of your choice is welcomed in lieu of flowers, and the request is that flowers, if chosen, not be sent to the funeral home. Barbara’s favorite charities typically involved direct aid and included the Navy Relief Society, the Committee to Help Others of Vienna, Virginia, and area food banks.
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Barb, Friends since first grade in Seward and through graduation in ’62. I remember when we had to get our polio vaccines and standing in line that hot summer day. You cringed but took the shot. You were always a strong ‘girl’ and woman. We had our ‘differences’ but the last rime we spoke at a reunion we were still friends … and always will be. I and the class will all miss you. God bless you and my sympathies to Bill and the family. Lord – she is yours now. Jim
Love you
Barb, my sister and my friend. We have shared many things through the years but what I treasure most is our conversations and love,first of our children and later of our grandchildren.You will always hold a place in my heart. Little sis,Judy
A candle was lit for the decedent.
I am so sad to hear about Barbara’s passing. We were so lucky to have been next door in Vienna for so many years. All our love and sympathy to Bill, Tim and Dan and their families during this difficult time.
Please accept our most heartfelt sympathies for your loss. Our thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time. We will miss Barbara.
Bill, Tim, and Dan – I am so very sorry to hear about the loss of your dear Barbara/Mom. I have such fond memories of growing up next door. She was always so sweet even when I cut through the yard to get to a friend’s on Holt street or popped over often to play hoops. And, of course, I have no doubt she knew when I was playing “Harriett the Spy” in the pine tree just between our houses writing down all the juicy gossip and happenings on McNeil Street and I hope it put a smile on her face! She certainly had a wonderful smile. Words cannot take away the pain of your loss but please know she lives on in each of you and is with you as you grieve. I wish I could be there tomorrow. Please accept my sincere condolences. With Love, Audrey Ann Ross
I am saddened to hear of Barbara’s passing. We met in the mid 1960’s in Washington, DC in the dining room while living at the Hartnet Hall rooming house complex. She had a job at the White House, working for Walter Jenkins, I believe, President Lyndon Johnsons’s right hand man. I seem to remember watching the 4th of July fireworks from the white House lawn one time. I was drafted by the U.S. Army in 1966 and lost touch with Barbara. She will always be remembered with fondest memories. Guy S. Hammer, II, Bethesda, MD.