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Barbara Mary Graziani, age 88, died peacefully at home with her beloved husband, Alfred Margerum by her side in Ocean City, NJ on Thursday, July 1, 2021.
Born Barbara Carr in Arlington, NJ, she grew up in the Wissinoming section of Philadelphia and attended St. Bartholomew’s elementary school, graduating first in her class. She won a full academic scholarship to the prestigious Ravenhill Academy for her high school years.
She raised seven children with her former husband John A. Graziani Sr., always looking out for their best interests and championing their needs. She made most of her daughters' clothes and sewed professional level garments for others from her home. Barbara served as a Girl Scout troop leader helping her daughters and their friends develop valuable life skills.
Barbara began her career as a computer control clerk, became a programmer after attending college, and a systems analyst. Barbara rose to become the first female head of IT for a division of a major international corporation. After retiring from Rohm & Haas, she furthered her education, graduating magna cum laude at age 69 from Bryn Mawr's distinguished women’s college with a degree in Women's Studies. She then prepared other women for their GED at CWEP and taught mathematics at Project Home.
Barbara loved to travel, visiting Italy, Brazil, Ecuador, Dominican Republic, and Nepal, where she climbed Mount Annapurna. She spent a summer in Mexico, studying at the University of Guadalajara. She especially enjoyed hiking with her husband Alfred and with other family and friends, hiking the Alps, the Appalachian Trail, where she was known as “City Girl,” in the Pocono Mountains, and in the many locales she visited. Barbara was an avid reader and enjoyed theater and classic movies. All who knew her see her as a truly accomplished and amazing woman with a zest for life.
Survivors include her beloved husband, Alfred M. Margerum, seven children, John A. Graziani, Jr. (Christine), Geraldine Barsotti (Domenic), Thomas Graziani, Marian McBride (Robert), Stephen (Steve) Graziani, Barbara M. Graziani, Anthony D. (Tony)Graziani (Madeline); her sister, Jacqueline Childress; 12 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Barbara was preceded in death by her brother, James P. Carr, and her sisters, Bernice Lewis and Patricia Farrell.
There will be a Celebration of Barbara's life Monday, July 19, from 2:00-6:00 pm, at 500 Bay Avenue, North Building, Ocean City, NJ 08226.
Donations can be made in Barbara's honor to Project Home at https://projecthome.org/donate
