Barbara S. Selman died peacefully on Thursday, December 21, 2017 at her home in Willow Grove.
Born May 4, 1928, in Philadelphia, she was the oldest daughter of Katherine Graham Sterling and William N. Sterling. Barbara spent her early childhood in West Philadelphia enjoying time with her grandparents and parents who lived within a block of one another. Music was a big part of her life from an early age.
She sang in ensembles or choirs at school and church through junior and senior high school. After graduating high school from Springfield High School, Montgomery County, in 1946 she went on to major in Home Economics at Drexel University. She met handsome Herbert (Herb) Selman in the Student Union building of Drexel and they became friends. She liked that he had been in the Navy and was a gentleman with good manners. Barbara planned a special Christmas party on December 21, 1946 at her parents’ home at which Herb met her friends and parents. She graduated college in June, 1950. After a 3 1/2 year courtship, Herb and she wed in October, 1950. Together they raised four children and resided in Willow Grove.
A devoted wife, mother, and teacher, she initially taught school during the early years of her marriage then chose to work in the home as a stay-at-home mom, tenderly pouring into the lives of her kids, being a helper for her husband, and managing her home. She took her responsibilities as a wife and mother seriously. She stepped back into the workforce in and around 1972, initially substitute teaching for the Upper Moreland School district, then in a full-time position as a teacher’s assistant for special needs students in the Upper Moreland High School. She remained in the district either teaching or substituting until the early 1990’s. She was active at church and acted as the piano accompanist for the junior and senior high school choirs at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church for several years.
After retirement, she and Herb enjoyed visiting friends and family and traveling in the United States, Canada, and Aruba. She loved to read in her spare time.
She is described as a precious older sister, loyal friend, kind and loving neighbor, wise counselor, devoted mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, beloved aunt, faithful child of God, and respected teacher. She opened her home freely to friends and strangers alike and touched many people’s lives with her warm and loving manner. She loved to handwrite greeting cards and letters to many friends and family.
Following Herb’s passing, she remained active in her church, in her neighborhood, and her children and grandchildren’s lives.
Barbara is survived by her four children: Mark (Marlene), James (Susie), John (Susan), Jeanne (Richard); twelve grandchildren: Jan (Joe), Sarah, Brittany (Joseph), Lucas, Analeesa (Evan), Hunter (Victoria), Claudia (Christopher), Jordan (Kimberly), Ross, Joshua, Christina, and Jared; great grandchildren: Bridgitte, Jayden, Tanner, Brady, Abby, Ryland, Lacey and Juliet; sister, Jean Eisele, of Oreland, PA.; many extended family and loving friends.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 13th, at 10:00 am at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 2086 Parkview Avenue, Abington, PA, 19001. Interment will be held privately. In leui of flowers please consider sending a donation in memory of Barbara Selman to Jefferson Health Hospice, 225 Newtown Road, Warminster, PA, 18974 or Holy Trinity Lutheran Church.
