Barbara Terhune Muth

Barbara Lillian Terhune Muth departed this earthly life on Tuesday, September 10, 2024 at the age of 85, with her husband and soulmate, Frank Muth by her side. She was a beloved daughter, sister, aunt, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. We will miss her endlessly.

Barbara is survived and missed by her loving husband of 64 years, Frank, her children, Laura Sue, Frank, Todd, their spouses (her bonus children) Danny, Jenn and Gina, and her older sister Ruth. Forever cherished and remembered by her seven grandchildren; Allysia, Michelle, Ryann, Thomas, Julia, Emma, and Ben. Her legacy also lives on in her seven great-grandchildren; Violet, Eli, AJ, Emmett, Imani, Lainey and Caleb.

Barbara was born in Patterson, NJ on August 21, 1939, and grew up with her parents, the late Frank and Bernice (Elemandorf) Terhune and two sisters Ruth Townsend and the late Patricia Coover. The Terhune household was full of love and laughter; it was also where Barbara discovered her love of sewing and baking and where she learned that family was everything. While attending Butler High School, she played clarinet in the band and met Frank Muth, the love of her life, they never had eyes for anyone but each other from the moment they met. Frank and Barbara were married on August 20, 1960, in Butler, NJ. Shortly after they moved to Sparta, NJ where they started and raised their family. Some of her greatest joy came from all the memories she created with her family. From elaborate Halloween costumes, to making "shrunken heads" from apples or tapping trees in the backyard to make their own maple syrup, Barbara and Frank made sure Laura Sue, Frank and Todd had a childhood that was both pragmatic and magical.

Professionally, Barbara wore a variety of hats throughout her life. With a passion for education, she began her teaching career on an emergency certificate, finishing both her last year of college and her first year of teaching simultaneously. She went on to graduate from Paterson State College with a degree in Elementary Education in 1962. After Frank and Barbara were blessed with children, Barbara opted to stay home to nurture her own little ones. She wholeheartedly volunteered in her children's classrooms, helped teachers, baked delicious treats for all the holiday parties, and led both Girl Scout and Boy Scout groups.

As her children grew older, Barbara's passion for working with youth grew from family to community, and she went to work for the Boy Scouts of America. She served as an administrative assistant for the Morris-Sussex Council by day and continued to serve at both a troop and council level, leading local youth in the evenings. Barbara brought the first Tiger Cub program to the Morris-Sussex area. In 1995, Barbara was awarded the highest council-level distinguished service award, the Silver Beaver acknowledging all her devoted service to her community.

Barbara hung up her Boy Scout shirt in 1998 to become the administrative assistant for her husband's growing real-estate appraisal business. In her spare time, Barbara could often be found spending time with her grandchildren; Julia, Emma, and Ben, cheering on the Ski Hawks from the Lake Mohawk boardwalk, and spending time with family and friends.

Barbara's ambitions and talents didn't just lie in administrative prowess and youth development. She was also a master seamstress and confectioner. She loved to create outfits for her children, grandchildren and grandchildren's dolls. Christmas always meant handsewn Christmas pj's for the little ones, gathering in the kitchen to make dozens upon dozens of incredible cookies of every sort, and hanging the stockings she made and took great joy in adding to as her family grew. She also knitted countless sweaters, including 17 matching Norwegian sweaters for her family. Barbara created her own wedding dress, her daughter's wedding gown and another gown for her bonus daughter, Jenn. It was a matter of great pride that all the family wedding cakes were crafted by this lovely lady and too many young brides to count had their dreams come true with stunning cakes and tasty treats!

There was not a piano recital, graduation, potluck, picnic, or celebration held by family or friends that did not include delectable desserts by Barbara, most too beautiful to eat, but entirely too delicious not to. Barbara always remembered everyone's favorite coveted treat, even if she had to pack it in dry ice and ship it across the country to celebrate their special occasion!

Barbara had an artistic soul which had her explore and excel in many creative arts. While her hands were adept at gentle touches, and making magic in the kitchen, Barbara's hands also never stopped creating, from reupholstering furniture, designing and building doll houses, knitting, crocheting, quilling, and in recent years stunning pysanky eggs - just to name a few. The only thing she loved more than creating something beautiful, was gifting it to friends and family. No one ever left her table hungry, or her house empty handed. Her natural empathy and gentle nature drew everyone in her orbit to her for advice and comfort, which she never hesitated to offer.

In their retirement, Barbara and Frank moved to Batavia OH to be closer to their daughter, Laura Sue, their grandchildren and great grandchildren, in those 20 years they made many friends and became valued members of the community. Barbara was very active in her church, Lutheran Church of the Resurrection (LCR). She generously donated her talents and time to many good causes, including knitting mittens for 100's of children in need, and chairing several committees involved in fundraising for the less fortunate. Barbara also taught classes to share her crafting skills and knowledge and was a beloved member of the bell choir.

Barbara always faced life's challenges head-on and with ingenuity. She was honest and conducted herself with iron-clad integrity tempered by her tender heart. She had very strong values, lived by them, and was cherished by everyone, mostly due to her endless capacity for love and compassion, along with her droll sense of humor. Barbara had remarkable patience, she always made time to help others and was incredibly generous with her talents and her time. Her legacy will carry on, not only in her progeny, but also in the way she chose to live, reminding us that we control our attitudes if nothing else. Barbara's warmth and selflessness remind us to choose to live a life of meaningful acts of love and service.

We will remember Barbara as she would approve of, with a Celebration of Life.

To be held Saturday, October 19th, 2024 at 1:00 PM

At Lutheran Church of the Resurrection

1950 Nagel Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45255

A Secondary Celebration will be held in Sparta, NJ - date/location to be determined. The family will notify loved ones when the service is scheduled.