Barbara Irwin

Barbara Mae (Cleaver) Irwin was called home to be with the Lord on February 27, 2023. She was born on August 6, 1941 in Pittsburgh, PA, and was 81 years old at the time of her passing. Though born in the Steel City, she was a Grampian girl, where she made a number of lifelong friends during her childhood, including the Polly Pin Curls. Barbara was married to Benny R. Irwin on August 22, 1964, and they resided in Curwensville for most of their marriage. She is survived by her husband, Benny, three children; Laura Lee Vickerman and her husband, J.R., Daniel J. Irwin and his wife Amy, and Spencer J. Irwin and his wife, Shannon. Barbara was blessed with four grandsons and three great-grandchildren that she was very proud of; Max Vickerman and his wife, Erin and their daughter, Roxanne, Will Vickerman, Alex Irwin, his wife, Whitney, their daughter, Piper, and son, Lex, and Jacob Irwin. In addition, she is survived by two dedicated and loving sisters; Linda Linn and her husband, Keith, and Sherrie Kitko and her husband, Dave, and her sisters-in-law/friends; Autumn Norris and her husband, Jim and Deanna Baughman and her husband, Rex. Among the saints welcoming Barbara into Heaven are those that have preceded her in death; her father, Thornton J. Cleaver, her mother, Electa M. (Curry) Cleaver, her brother, Thornton J. “Skip” Cleaver, and her mother and father-in-law, Edna C. Irwin and Max D. Irwin.
Beyond her God and family, Barbara loved three things; music, photography, and teaching. She was a member of the band and choir at Curwensville Area High School, which she graduated from in 1959. She also sang in the choir at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church of Grampian and the Grampian Community Choir for many years, but her main joy in singing came from her time in the Reach Out Quartet, a Gospel group that recorded two albums and sang at many, many shows and services over the years. The group consisted of Barbara, Elaine Elensky, Diane Decker, and Patty Neeper, along with Ralph Woodel on bass and Gerry Chelgren on piano. Music was a passion, but Barbara’s calling was to teach children. Graduating from Lock Haven University in 1963, she taught first and second grade for over thirty years, working for the Curwensville Area School District for all of them. She started at the Locust Street School, moved to Grampian Elementary for a number of years, and then spent the remainder of her career at Curwensville Elementary. She was dedicated to her students and always referred to them as “my kids.” Even after retiring, she held onto many photos, letters, and projects of her students. Photos of her students were not the only ones. She loved taking pictures of people, scenery, events, and so much more. If it was happening, she wanted a picture of it. From her cameras, to slide shows, to scrapbooking, Barbara loved the art of photography and the joy of documenting all of the beauty in family, friends, and nature.
Faced with multiple illnesses, Barbara showed great spirit and fortitude. She fought the good fight. She ran the race. She kept the faith. Her family would like to thank and honor all of the caregivers that assisted her; Theresa Elinsky, Jean Bloom, Barbie Curry, Dina Lash and her daughter, Bill and Theresa Freyer along with their staff, the staff at Colonial Courtyard, and the staff at Mountain Laurel and Ridgeview. Her children would like to say a special thank you to their father, Barbara’s husband, Benny, who was a caregiver for many years. His sacrifice has meant so much. There are tens of millions of unpaid caregivers in our country. If you can, please consider helping someone you may know.
A private funeral will be held for immediate family, followed by a “Celebration of Life” for family and friends on Saturday, March 18th, at the Curwensville First Baptist Church at 11 AM with Pastor Dan Osterhout officiating. If you feel called to donate in Barbara’s honor, the family suggests the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research at www.michaeljfox.org.

Beardsley Funeral Home and Crematory, Curwensville is in charge of arrangements.

To sign the on-line guest book go to www.beardsleyfuneralhome.com.