Barbara Ellen Berger

Upon graduation from Ursuline High School in Youngstown in 1995, she received a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology as well as a Women’s Studies Certificate from Ohio University, Class of 1999.

Barb was married to Brian Edward Rinehart on May 7, 2005. They met shortly before classes started their freshman year at Ohio University in 1995 and began dating fall quarter of their junior year.

Barb was a Director in Annuity Product at Nationwide Financial.

In addition to her husband Brian, Barb is survived by her parents, Martin and Louisa Berger of Youngstown, brother Dan Berger of Cranberry PA, and sister Emily Larrier of Youngstown. In addition, she is survived by her in-laws, Ed and Cathy Rinehart of Chillicothe, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Lisa and Kevin McAlhaney of Rolling Meadow IL, nieces Erin McAlhaney and Elyssa Larrier Pallone; nephews Ryan McAlhaney, Zachary Larrier, and Jason Berger; grand-nephew Michael Pallone 3rd and grand-niece Elena Pallone. Barb and Brian’s cats Maude, Disco Stu, and Harry will miss her as much as her human family. Barb was preceded in death by brother-in-law Damon Larrier and her beloved first cat Wiggum. Barb loved her family deeply and was so proud of her nieces and nephews and was eager to discuss their accomplishments, activities, and interests with anyone that would listen.

At the risk or inadvertently omitting someone we will not enumerate Barb’s devoted longtime friends from high school, college, or the many neighbors in Barb and Brian’s Clintonville neighborhood who have become family and whose support and care are helping to share and assuage Barb’s loss.

Barb loved reading and was excited to surpass her yearly book goal once again. She was a dedicated practitioner of Yoga and was tremendously proud to have a streak of 788 consecutive days of Yoga at the time of her passing. Barb and Brian loved to travel, taking trips to Italy and Spain in recent years along with countless visits to friends and family across the United States. Barb also loved traveling back to Athens to walk the brick roads of Ohio University. She was a true Bobcat who loved her time in Athens and was proud of the lifelong bonds she made there. Before her time in Athens she was an active member of her high school theater productions and was equally proud of the everlasting friendships she made in Youngstown. In her youth Barb spent her summers at Camp Fitch in North Springfield, PA both as a camper and later a counselor where again she made amazing friends for life. Barb was tremendously active in her Clintonville neighborhood where she formed such a strong bond with her neighbors over the past 15 years, helping to throw a yearly neighborhood Oktoberfest and co-organizing a neighbor luminary lighting each December. A common theme with Barb everywhere she went in each phase of life were the wonderful people drawn to her. In her leisure time Barb loved to relax in front of the TV with Brian and their cats watching and rewatching shows like The Simpsons, Parks and Recreation, The West Wing, and the shows and films of Star Wars and the MCU. Her favorite restaurants were Starliner Diner in Hilliard, Casa Nueva in Athens, and almost any version of Youngstown-style pizza. Barb was a dedicated member of the Democratic Party, volunteering for many campaigns and issues. Two years ago she purchased her favorite Christmas ornament from Wild Cat Gift and Party store, which simply reads “Smash The Patriarchy.” Barb loved doing what she called “table activities,” particularly puzzles, Lego building, euchre, and her favorite, Scrabble. She started her last game with a seven letter Bingo and enjoyed taunting her husband throughout that game.

In lieu of flowers, if you would like to honor Barb’s memory we suggest donations be made to Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio, Clintonville-Beechwold Community Resources Center, or the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Youngstown.

A celebration of Barb’s life will be held in the spring.