Barbara Helene Herring

Barbara died peacefully the morning of June 21, 2022 after years of numerous health issues.

Barbara H. Poutinen was born in Putnam, Connecticut on September 19, 1944, along with her twin sister, Karen. Karen has intellectual disabilities but she and Barbara grew up as built in playmates and Barbara watched over Karen. They lived on a chicken farm and spent a brief amount of time in Ottawa, Canada with the Army. Barbara raved about their education in Canada, especially how great it was for Karen.

Barbara also met her best lifelong friend, Dayna Banka-Slone, as a little girl in Connecticut. Their moms were best friends and they lived across the street from each other. After not seeing each other the last few years, Dayna visited “Bobbie” last month and they enjoyed hours of sharing memories.

Barbara completed her schooling in Connecticut and graduated from Griswold High School, Jewett City, class of 1962. Another best friend, Betty Mink, was a classmate of Barbara’s and they have kept in touch all these years.

Barbara moved to Washington, DC to train to be an airline stewardess (of course today they are called “flight attendants”). Apparently she was too tall to continue the training. She did land a job with the Federal Government. She met her future husband, Donald Herring, and they were married in 1966 in Arlington, VA. They raised their two children in Vienna, VA.

Barbara took an early retirement from her Federal Government career while working at USGS/Department of the Interior in Reston, VA. Barbara met a great friend, Gina Kerns, during her time at USGS. Gina visited often and spent many hours with Barbara during her final days.

After retirement, Barbara enjoyed traveling. She visited Montana, Arizona, Alaska, Nevada, Florida, Buffalo, NY, Canada, and Maine. She also loved her time volunteering at the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department helping with the Sunday night Bingo program. The stories she told!

Barbara took an AncestryDNA test to confirm the obvious, 99% Finnish. She was very proud of her Finnish heritage and still corresponded with a few remaining distant relatives in Finland. She loved perusing websites for Finnish made items and would purchase them for gifts. Barbara had great taste in many things but definitely had a knack for picking out just the right gift.

Barbara loved being a Mummu (Finnish for Grandma) and in her healthier years took any opportunity to spend time with her grandkids. More recently, she enjoyed talking to them and hearing about their adventures.

While Barbara had numerous health issues, her spirit never waned. Her niece, Debbie Herring, took excellent care of her for many years, provided companionship, and never gave up on her. Her dedication to Barbara was more than anyone could ask for and will forever be remembered.

Pets were a very important part of Barbara’s life. If she could have saved them all, she would have. She leaves behind her cats Sam and O.C (Orange Cat). They will have a loving home with Debbie. Myron, the Tonkinese grand-cat, also held a special place in Barbara’s heart even if he terrorized her house while she cat-sat.

Barbara is preceded in death by her husband Donald Herring. She is survived by two children, Don Herring and Lynda Donovan (Daniel); her sister, Karen Poutinen; step-daughter, Donna Herring-Greene (David); and grandchildren Maeve, Ian (Parents Lynda and Dan); Carl, Anna (Parents Donna and David); as well as numerous nieces and nephews from the Herring side of the family and her best friends, Dayna, Betty, and Gina, who were true friends and loved Barbara like a sister.

There will not be any services. The family will hold a Celebration of Life at a future date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Friends of Homeless Animals

If you would prefer to mail your donation, please send to:

Friends of Homeless Animals

39710 Goodpuppy Lane

Aldie, VA 20105

(Checks payable to Friends of Homeless Animals)

There is also an option for Text to Give at 571-559-7299