Barbara Ball Savage

Barbara Ball Savage: November 9, 1927-September 3, 2023

Born on election eve the very night her father, Frank L. Ball, was elected State Senator for Arlington County, Barbara Ball Savage brought joy to the lives of family and friends from the very beginning. She was the “surprise baby”, 11 years younger than her closest siblings, and grew up in the historic Glebe House. She loved ice skating, horseback riding, climbing trees, and sledding down 17th ST N. with all the neighborhood children. Franklin Roosevelt was her President; Mt. Olivet was her Church; W & L was her school.

In high school, she participated on the Debate Team (never recovered from losing the State Championship), loved political discussions, was Captain of the Cheerleaders, and voted “Most Popular” her senior year. Her mother, Marie Shreve Ball, imbued in her a love for gardening and volunteering in the community. Her adored father gave her a love of history, an optimistic outlook and a deep faith.

She met her husband, a GI from New Jersey, Walter “Doc” Savage, when both were attending GW University in the Fall of 1946. Offering him a piece of candy the first day in class, she always insisted she fell in love at first sight, demonstrating a keen judgement of character that never left her. In Doc, she found a kind, good man who shared her values of faith, loyalty, good humor and compassion. They married in October 1951, and immediately left for California as Doc pursued his career in the FBI. They made lifelong friends in California and in time raised two daughters, Corinne and Robin Savage. But Virginia was always home, and Barbara was overjoyed to return to family and friends when Doc’s transfer papers brought them back East.

Here she sttled in Vienna, a busy housewife, mother, volunteer, and committed member of Epiphany Methodist Church, PEO Women’s Philanthropy, and Stonewall Manor Garden Club. Barbara enjoyed people and loved entertaining in her home. For twenty years, she organized Garden Tours for busloads of Garden Club members to tour Virginia during Historic Virginia Garden Week. A proud Democrat, she loved and worked for justice in the world, volunteering as an Octogenarian for Obama; preparing and serving meals to Shelters; devoting herself to Missions through her Church; donating time and money but most of all her interest and compassion to anyone in need. She had the habit of knowing when someone had lost confidence, or felt alone in the world, or was suffering—and she knew the words to say and the quiet, affirming actions that were required to help shore up and support.

She and Doc celebrated 50 years of marriage before he fell ill; and she faithfully cared for him until his death. Twenty years a widow, she worked through loneliness and grief by caring for others, or putting up pickles and jam, or creating Christmas wreaths for the Church Bazaar. Though ill health troubled her last years, she was determined to stay in her home—and was charming and tricky enough that she could make anyone believe she had many more years to live. It was a surprise, then, when her mighty heart gave out—she had hosted an ice cream social for friends just the week before she died. To the end, she was curious, fun, always interested in others, always seeking connection. She was deeply loved.

A viewing will be held at Money & King Funeral Home in Vienna from 3-5pm Sunday, and a Memorial Service at Hope Church (formerly Epiphany Methodist), at 1014 Country Club DR in Vienna at 11:30 am Monday, September 11.