Obituary of Barbara Ann Nuttall

Affectionately known as Barb or Bobbie, Barbara was a beacon of strength, intelligence, and creativity. Born in Pittsburgh, Barbara's journey on this earth came to a peaceful close in Hagerstown, Maryland, where she passed away on October 9, 2024, at the age of 101. Barbara lost her mother, Katherine O'Connor, when she was seven months old and was lovingly raised by her grandparents and aunts in Pottsville, PA. The loss of her beloved husband, Thomas J. Nuttall Sr., when she was 64, and the subsequent passing of her granddaughter Alisa, her sister Doye, and her son, Thomas, were chapters of her life that showcased her incredible resilience. Barbara's legacy lives on through her daughters Dr. Mary Katherine McGurl and Christine Stowell (Michael), grandsons Thomas J. III and David Nuttall (friend Tauntiana), Zachary (Shellyn) and Matthew (friend Andrea) Stowell, and John McGurl; and the joy of her later years, her great-grandchildren Tucker, Macy, Bowen, Jack, and Maddox Stowell. She leaves behind a tapestry of family connections with cousins Dorothy Ann, Patrick, and Colleen McGinley, and a niece Signe Murphy (George) and nephew Mark Moore. Graduating from Pottsville High School in 1940, she was told college was not for girls. Her thirst for knowledge, however, persisted and as a working mother she eventually achieved a BS in Business Administration in 1972, as her daughter Christine graduated from high school. She earned an MS in Business Education and teaching certification at Marywood College in 1975. At the age of 19, Barbara began working as a bookkeeper in a dry cleaner for $12.00 a week while residing at the Lancaster YWCA. Her aptitude for numbers progressed to recruitment by International Correspondence School, and she began her lifelong passion for computer programming, a groundbreaking field at the time. Barbara concluded her career as a teacher of programming/accounting at Lackawanna Area Vo-Tech School in Scranton, PA. From donuts to peanut butter eggs to elaborate wedding cakes, Barbara's passion for cooking knew no bounds. Sewing was another area in which Barbara excelled: her dresses, costumes, and, most notably, exquisite quilts remain treasures. Her visionary eye extended to home design, especially kitchens, and she designed much of the family's lake house at Lake Wallenpaupack, PA where Barbara lived prior to moving to Hagerstown. "Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all." (Helen Keller) Barbara embodied this adventurous spirit in all she pursued. She taught us to see potential where others saw the ordinary and to embrace learning at every stage of life. Special appreciation to Barbara's loving and caring neighbors, as well as her amazing team of caretakers, including Hospice. All provided love and comfort through her declining days. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Washington County. A brief memorial service will be held 5pm on Monday, October 14, 2024, at Minnich Funeral Home in Hagerstown. The family will receive friends one hour prior to services on Monday. A burial will take place at BVM Queen of Peace Cemetery in Hawley, PA at 1 PM on Thursday, October 17, 2024.