Barbara Snear Crane passed away peacefully on March 5, 2024. She was born in Philadelphia, PA, on October 14, 1927, to Anna (Link) and William Snear. Raised in Conshohocken, PA, she was a graduate of Conshohocken High School and the Lankenau Hospital School of Nursing where she received the Sister Magdalene von Bracht Award for Nursing.
Barbara and Ensign Herbert Crane were married the day following his graduation from the United States Naval Academy on June 5, 1954, at Grace Lutheran Church in Philadelphia, PA, by Rev. Ralph Kerstetter. They celebrated 50 years together before Herb’s death in 2004. Their lives were enriched by their three children and their spouses: William Joseph (Ruth), David Lawrence (Nancy), and Ann Louise Durham (Richard). She is also survived by three grandchildren: Felizitas “Lisa” Crane, Matthew Durham (Shelly), and Michael Durham (Andrew Gallion), and three great-grandchildren: Steven, Phillip, and Garrett Durham.
A life-long Lutheran, Barbara was a devoted member of St. Timothy Evangelical Lutheran Church in Norfolk, VA, where she served in many ministries. A family genealogist, she was the third president of the Virginia Beach Genealogical Society. She was a 50-year member of the Order of the Eastern Star. She was also one of the first volunteers at the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and served faithfully for several years.
Since 2020, Barbara made her home at Bickford of Virginia Beach, where she was cared for by many loving staff members. The family also extends heartfelt thanks to Trinity Hospice.
The family will receive friends from 5-7:00 pm, on Thursday, March 21, 2024, at Rosewood-Kellum Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm, on Friday, March 22, 2024, at St. Timothy Lutheran Church. Burial will be in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. You may offer condolences at www.kellumfuneralhome.com
Memorial contributions may be made to the Foodbank of Southeast Virginia and the Eastern Shore, or St. Jude’s Childrens’ Research Hospital.
