Barbara "BJ" Jean Ottey

Barb was the beloved spouse of Suzanne (Sue) Bedard; cherished daughter of the late Norton and Margaret Ottey; dear sister of the late John B. Ottey, and his surviving wife JoAnne Ottey. She was the amazing Aunt of the late Steven Ottey and also survived by nieces Denise Heck(Michael Heck) and Pam Arrington (Gary Cox); and an extended loving family and many friends.

Born and raised in Northeast Baltimore, residing in "The Catholic High School" (TCHS) neighborhood, Barb "BJ" enjoyed city life: its closely knit row home living; "at the ready" buddies to play with in nearby fields or street sports; having a back alley where she'd find homeless cats needing her help or the neighbor's lonely backyard dog needing her attention; having a panoramic view of the city set on lower terrain which offered her a night time moon lit world to marvel at from her window; its Lake Montibello, the city reservoir built in 1881, where she ran off the day's stress with her beloved dog Phaedra at her side; having her happy school life at TCHS; the city's museums, Center Stage where she and her dear friend, Sue, were patrons for over 30 years; a work life centered at JHU for close to 30 years; buying, rehabbing, selling a 3 story row home in Butcher's Hill.

As a youngster, she loved watching TV sports with her brother, plus having the outdoor sports life with her buddies. There were the very special weekly family trips to Hyde (Long Green Valley, Baltimore County)to visit grandparents. There she bonded deeply with her grandfather, growing to love his country world with dogs and other animals.

The love of sports carried over to TCHS where her athleticism, fun-loving personality, and personal integrity were honored. She lost her dearly loved Dad to liver disease when a senior in HS. She often attributed her fun-loving, humorous side to her father. After a year out of HS, Barb(BJ) entered the Convent of the Sisters of St Francis at Glen Riddle, Pa. Her inspiration was HS mentor, Sr. Alice Joseph. Barb left after 3 months, worried about her mother's well-being and needing to heed the call to oversee her mother's care. Barb remained connected with her convent group through the years.

The highlight of her work life was working for/with JHU's Dr. Alfred Sommer, a world renowned Ophthalmologist and Epidemiologist with a focus on international and public health. At the job interview, there was a quick, resolute connection between the two, and he hired "BJ"- (Dr. Sommer's nickname solution for Barb whose office co-worker was also Barb) "on the spot" per BJ. For close to 30 years BJ was his Executive Assistant starting out at the Dana Center for Preventive Ophthalmology, founded by Dr. Sommer; then brought over as his Executive Assistant to the Hopkins School of Public Health when he was appointed Dean of that school which he renamed The Bloomberg School of Public Health.

BJ proved she was worth her weight in gold. She was, as the Dean wrote on one evaluation, "extraordinarily dependable, compulsive, constantly receiving compliments from outside contacts on her concern and helpfulness to them". Dr. Sommer found BJ's ability to communicate with all manner of contacts, extraordinary. She found her work an honor if not, using Dr. Sommer's words, "a daring adventure" which gave her life meaning and purpose. She was bound and determined to be at least close to perfect in her work (which gave her attitude at times). She was who she was. Says Robert Leightman, a highly skilled Baltimore physician, author, teacher, psychic "the personality is imperfect, transient, and prone to error; the soul is perfect...". BJ's work came from her soul, more often than not!

When Dr. Sommer's appointment as Dean from 1990 until 2005 ended, BJ was invited to bring her honed skills to the CEO's of the then UPMC Biosecurity Center in Baltimore. This was another extraordinary exposure to the "best and the brightest", and BJ was humbled by these experiences.

Finally, in 2010, BJ embarked on the Journey of Retirement. Time for family, friends, gardening ,playing with her dogs, reading, photography, relaxing and having a good time at her home of 20+ years in Shrewsbury, PA. Time to reflect on the wonderful people, events, trips of her life......her canoe and kayak stories, her trips to Canada, including Cape Breton. Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Montreal, Quebec, Vancouver; the North and Southwest; the Northeast, the National Parks- Acadia, Bryce, Grand Canyon, Zion, and so many stays in different parts of wonderful Maine. Her partner, and eventually spouse have been together 38 years and ever grateful for the gifts of their lives.

In 2015, BJ's good health luck began to weaken: the first setback involved difficulty with speech and memory that began gradually and became progressively worse. Her neuropsychological testing provided concern for a neurodegenerative disorder. In fact, over time, with increased symptoms, BJ's disease was diagnosed as CBD or corticobasil degenerative disease or syndrome, a rare neuropsych degenerative illness. This disease eventually left her without speech, language/writing ability, and finally, along with right-sided weakness, inability to swallow. Under those circumstances, BJ lost capacity of the ability that provided her with the most joy: communicating with others, whether by mouth, or writing.

In 2017 BJ and Sue had moved to BrightView Perry Hall seeking more company and support. This move proved to be wise and intentions were met. Over the 4+ years at BrightView, BJ connected with many, warming their hearts with her friendly greetings by hand signals. Barb"BJ" will be deeply missed. Edith Wharton wrote, "There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it." Thank you, Barb "BJ", for being among us, and spreading such strong Light.

Barbara Jean’s “BJ” life will be celebrated at the Schimunek Funeral Home 9705 Belair Road Nottingham, MD 21236, on Sunday October 30, 2022 from 3-4 pm to meet/greet with food to be offered; from 4-5 pm a Celebration of Her story with memories shared by family, friends.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in BJ’s memory. A listing of organizations that were near and dear to BJ’s heart can be found below:

The Dana Center for Preventive Ophthalmology (she was extremely proud of the work that Dean Sommer and the Center did)

Catholic High School of Baltimore

(Her high school which provided her the foundation for pursuit of knowledge and excellence)

Animal Rescue Inc

(The organization where she adopted several of her beloved canine companions)

Fund for Johns Hopkins Medicine Department of Neurology and Brain Science

(To support the research of Dr Argye Hillis who provided her care when she was initially diagnosed with her illness)

Links for each organization and details on donating via mail can be found below. These organizations represented various parts of her life and she knew her friends, family and colleagues would donate to the organization that spoke to them most about their time and memories with BJ.

The Dana Center for Preventive Ophthalmology

For gifts to be designated to the “B.J. Ottey Fund within the Dana Center for Preventive Ophthalmology at the Wilmer Eye Institute of Johns Hopkins School of Medicine” – friends and family can chose to donate either online or can send checks to:

c/o Daniela Fried

Wilmer Eye Institute

Johns Hopkins Medicine

600 N. Wolfe Street, Suite Wilmer 112

Baltimore, MD 21287

https://secure.jhu.edu/form/dana-center-gift-fund

or to

The Catholic High School of Baltimore.

Catholic High Office of Institutional Advancement

2800 Edison Highway

Baltimore, MD 21213

Donate https://www.thecatholichighschool.org/giving, mail in a check, or call us at 410.732.6200 to pay over the phone

or to

Please make your check payable to Johns Hopkins University and send to:

Fund for Johns Hopkins Medicine Department of Neurology and Brain Sciences

550 N. Broadway, Suite 731 Baltimore, MD 21205

Reference (in memo line): Dr. Argye Hillis’ research IMO Barbara J. Ottey

https://secure.jhu.edu/form/neuro

(Under the Gift Amount and Designation Field at the top, select the other option and then in the please describe drop down box which will appear underneath, please enter Dr. Argye Hillis’ research IMO Barbara Ottey then enter the contribution amount in the amount box.)

or to

Animal Rescue Inc 2 Heritage Farm Drive New Freedom, PA 17349 www.animalrescueinc.networkforgood.com