Barbara S. Gary of Spring Hill passed away early Sunday morning April 19, 2015, at Tyler Memorial Hospital, Tunkhannock.

She was born May 27, 1923, on Spring Hill, daughter of the late Gerald S. and Lucy D. Carter Shumway. She graduated from Camptown High School. Most of her life was spent on the Hill, on the farm first acquired by her ancestor, Reuben Shumway, in 1805.

Following a brief stint of employment prior to her marriage, she focused on raising her six children. When the children began to leave for college, she joined the cafeteria staff at Elk Lake School. Upon moving back to Spring Hill, she operated a thriving farm vacationing business for 13 years. Many guests became personal friends, returning annually, while others continued to keep in touch over the decades. After closing the vacation business, she became a DHIA milk tester for 17 years. At age 72, she retired to babysit her first great-grandchild, Isiaha Stethers.


In addition to her family, she dedicated herself to church and community service. Barbara was a lifetime member of the United Methodist Church, serving at various times as Sunday School and Vacation Bible School teacher, administrative board member, and trustee. She was involved with the United Methodist Women at Rush and Spring Hill, holding leadership roles at both the local and district levels. She also pieced over 1000 Ugly Quilt shells for the homes, and contributed 90 baby quilts for Bradford County's new mothers program. She volunteered as a reading aid at Wyalusing Elementary School; tutored in the English as a Second Language program; and acting as a tutor with the Bradford County Literacy and ESL programs, and chaired the "Over the Hill Gang" for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. Barbara enjoyed traveling and corresponding with family and friends, designing and making greeting cards, writing in her journals, and, an avid reader, finished nearly a book a day during her retirement.

She is survived by her older brother Thurston Shumway and his wife Marguerite (Ithaca, NY); her children and their spouses Cynthia and Sherman Wooden (Elk Lake), Dana Irwin (San Jose, CA), Mark and Kristin Smith-Gary (Spring Hill), Jennifer and John Brotzman (Windsor, CT), Stephen Gary (Wyalusing), Neil and Leigh Gary (Tulsa, OK). She leaves behind 18 grandchildren: David Applegate, Tracey Schraeder, Reina Wooden, Helena Wooden, Sherman Wooden; Jeffrey Irwin; Leigh Ann Smyth-Gary, Laura Smith-Gary, Grant Smith-Gary; Lori Greenberg, Shannon Taylor, Damon Stethers, Andrew Brotzman, Michael Brotzman; Shana Gary, Hillary Gary; Natalie Gary, and Ryan Gary, as well as 16 well-loved great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild. She was predeceased by her parents, her elder brother Jerry Shumway, and son-in-law Larry Stethers.

A memorial service is scheduled for 3:00 PM on Wednesday, April 22nd, at Spring Hill United Methodist Church, with visitation from 1:00 to 3:00 at the church.

Arrangements were made through the Sheldon Funeral Home, 459 Main St., Laceyville, PA.

Flowers will be provided by the family. Memorial contributions may be made to the Spring Hill United Methodist Church (c/o Susan Berkley, 5909 Spring Hill Rd., Wyalusing, PA, 18853), the American Cancer Society/Relay for Life (c/o Sheila Hitchcock, 34 Turkey Path Rd., Wyalusing, PA 18853), the Wyalusing Public Library (PO Box 98, Wyalusing, PA 18853) or the Tunkhannock Public Library (220 West Tioga St., Tunkhannock, PA 18657).

Online condolences made be made at www.sheldonfuneralhomes.com