Barbara Joan Harvey

Barbara Joan Harvey, of Friendswood, Texas, passed away peacefully on September 24, 2024, at the age of 87. Barbara was born September 9, 1937 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her parents were Edward MacElderry and Margaret Loretta Knorpp MacElderry. Barbara grew up in Philadelphia around her extended family and life long friends. She attended St Matthew’s Catholic school K-8 and graduated high school from St Hubert’s all girls Catholic in Philadelphia, 1955. She was prolific in shorthand and worked in various clerical positions, whilst raising children, including the Moody Foundation in Galveston, Texas as the records supervisor and assistant to grants officer. Barbara married John Stanley Regan in 1959 and together they had three children, Jack, Diane and Thomas.

In 1983, Barbara married, Oliver “Tom” Thomas Harvey, “the love of her life” and they began their life together in Galveston, Texas. Barbara’s family grew to include two step daughters, Nicola and Andrea. Barbara and Tom moved to Friendswood, Texas to be closer to their children, where they lived for 30 years, keeping busy with their church, family and friends.

Barbara was known for her love of Christ and was active in her church, including volunteering and spending time with her connection group affiliated with her church. In Barbara’s free time, she enjoyed family, socializing, knitting, crocheting, reading and gardening. Barbara was a fantastic card player and played many different card games, with her husband Tom and friends. Tom and Barbara enjoyed teaching the grandchildren various card games. Barbara was known for her sense of fashion and style. She loved baking and many friends and family would ask for her dessert recipes. Barbara was blessed with a phenomenal memory and remained mentally sharp prior to her passing.

Barbara is survived by her children, Jack Regan, Diane Regan Hecht(Kris), Thomas Regan(Tabitha) and her stepdaughters, Nicola and Andrea(Warren). Her six grandchildren, Synamon, Hannah, Morgan, Colton, Peyton and Jonathan. Her five great grandchildren, Arwen, Ellery, Liliana, Elodie and Theo.

Barbara is predeceased by her husband Tom, her parents, her sister, Marie Evans, her brother in law, Jim Evans and her nephews Jimmy and Sean Evans.

Barbara will be greatly missed by her family and friends. A special thank you to Barbara’s nurse practitioner, Gohnesh, home health nurse Nyree, caregiver, Rosetta and Dr. Maria Guidry for so much loving care through the years.

A few pieces of poetry from Barbara to her family and friends:

A FOND FAREWELL(TO ONE HELD SO DEAR) MISS ME BUT LET ME GO: When I come to the end of the road, and the sun has set for me, I want no rites in a gloom filled room Why cry for soul set free? Miss me for a little, but not for long And not with your head bowed low. Remember the love that we once shared. miss me- but let me go. For this is a journey that we all must take And each must go alone. It’s all part of the master’s plan. A step on the road to home. When you are lonely and sick of heart Go to the friends we know And bury your sorrows In doing good deeds. miss me- but let me go.

ONE HUNDRED YEARS FROM NOW: It will not matter what kind of car I drove, what kind of house I lived in, how much money I had in my bank account, nor what my clothes looked like. But the world may be a little better because I was important in a child’s life. Written by: Margaret Fishback Powers

SAFE IN GOD’S KEEPING: I am Home in Heaven, dear ones, Oh! so happy and so bright! There is perfect joy and beauty In this Everlasting Light. All the pain and grief are over, Every restless yearning past; I am now at peace forever, Safely Home in Heaven at last. Dear ones do not grieve so sorely. For I love you dearly still; Try to look beyond earth’s shadows, Pray to trust Our Father’s Will. When your work is all completed, He will gently call you Home, Oh! the rapture of that meeting! Oh! the joy to see you come!

The family will be holding a small private ceremony to celebrate Barbara’s life.