Barbara Mallery Barnard, gentle spirit
Barbara "Bobbie” Mallery Barnard, 93, of Dewey Beach, passed away at home Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024. She was born Oct. 4, 1930, in Mt. Vernon, N.Y., daughter of the late J. Hammond Mallery and Margaret (Wootton) Mallery.
Bobbie was a graduate of Brantwood Hall High School in Bronxville, N.Y. She then furthered her education and attended Salisbury University in Salisbury, Md., graduating cum laude with a bachelor of science degree from the University of New York in Oswego, N.Y.
Bobbie was married to Richard W. Clark from 1952-61. Then in 1961, she married Edward K. Barnard and together they enjoyed 53 years of marriage until his passing in 2015. She taught first grade for 18 years in various elementary schools in Pennsylvania and Ohio, passing her love of knowledge to many beloved students.
A gentle spirit to her core, Bobbie's love of life and family was contagious. She loved traveling the world and learning about different cultures, cuisines, and cocktails. Her favorite pastimes included reading, playing bridge, dancing, and bowling, and loved every type of word game imaginable from Words with Friends, Scrabble, and Word Feud, to crossword puzzles and Royalty card games.
She treasured time spent with her family above all. Bobbie was a loving and devoted mother, wife, sister, aunt, stepmother, grandmother, and friend. Her presence will be deeply and genuinely missed by all who were fortunate enough to know and love her.
In addition to her parents, Bobbie was predeceased by her husband, Edward K. Barnard; her brother, William Mallery; her brother-in-law, William Andrews, and stepson, Edward F. Barnard.
She is survived by her son, R.A. Clark of Santa Rosa Valley, Calif., and his family; her sister, Elizabeth Andrews of Lewes; her stepdaughter, Dr. Julie Barnard of Charlotte, N.C.; and many grandchildren, nieces, nephews, their spouses, and their children.
A private graveside service will be held at Bethel United Methodist Cemetery this spring.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Parsell Funeral Homes and Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.
Visit Bobbie’s Life Memorial webpage at parsellfuneralhomes.com.
