Barbara E. Cessna

Barbara Ellen Cessna passed from this life into heaven on March 20, 2022. Numerous loved ones were around her as she ended a very special two-year season with Hospice Care of Middletown.

The daughter of Ralph and Lillian Reeder, Barbara was born in Lock Haven, PA on April 6, 1930. She is survived by her son, Frank L. Cessna III (Carol) and daughter Ellen Graham (Chuck), granddaughters - Abby Graham and Leesha Cessna and a niece Beth Taylor. Many have preceded her in death, her sweet sister Donna Bishop, Frank L. Cessna Jr., her beloved husband of 51 years, grandson George Cessna Graham and nephews Jesse Bishop and Ralph Bishop. In 1951, Barbara graduated from Temple University School of Nursing in Philadelphia and served patients at Temple University Hospital and Middletown Hospital. In June of 1955 as a new bride, she moved to Middletown, Ohio where the Cessnas became lifelong residents. She actively attended First Christian Church and loved to participate in church services, social activities and Rebekah Circle Bible studies. She was President of Church Women United for several terms. Barbara always loved to “go”, to travel anywhere -especially to see family and other countries or go with a caregiver to get an ice cream cone or a meal. She was a voracious reader and particularly enjoyed historical fiction. She regularly painted at Arts in Middletown and socialized with her classmates. She enjoyed fashion and decorating. Barbara looked for beauty in every day - the jewelry on QVC, the flowers outside her window or the “pretties” (dishes) that she had carefully collected over the lifetime of her marriage.

She’d play long competitive Monopoly games with her grandson and took her granddaughters to Panera and Kohl’s. Barbara patiently supported her husband through many bewildering years as he progressed with Alzheimer’s Disease and kept him at home until almost the end of his life. Barbara was a feisty woman with a great attitude despite her many physical limitations due to rheumatoid arthritis. This made her continuously grateful heart shine more brightly. Often, when having a hard day, she’d say “This too shall pass.” Barbara successfully navigated her blessed but difficult life beautifully because she kept her focus on Christ, Who she called her Savior and Friend. It encouraged her to ponder the heavenly world to come. She is there now, as she sprints towards the next adventure!

Private services were held for the family.

Memorials should go to Hospice Care of Middletown, 4418 Lewis St., Suite B, Middletown, Ohio 45044, where Barbara was tenderly loved like family. Many thanks to all the caregivers who became friends and sisters and made it possible to fulfill her deep wish to live at home until her death.

Please sign the guestbook at WilsonSchrammSpaulding.com