Barbara Loucks Vanderhoff
August 6, 1936 ~ May 3, 2019
Marietta Southern Cremations & Funerals
On May 3, 2019, Barbara (June) Loucks Vanderhoff, 82, passed away peacefully in Marietta, Georgia, surrounded by family. She was born on August 6, 1936, in Paterson, New Jersey, to Marion Isabel Loucks (née Troop) and Otis Charles Loucks. Barbara graduated from Ramsey High School in 1954 and married Donald Bradley Vanderhoff in Ramsey, New Jersey, on February 16, 1957. In 1970, she moved with her husband and her four children (Donna, Lynn, Guy, and Nora) to Deerfield Beach, Florida, and later to Powder Springs, Georgia. In the last years of her life, she resided in Crescent City, Florida, with her longtime friend, Gustave DeBree.
Family and friends filled Barbara’s life and heart. As a passionate family historian, she worked tirelessly to discover and record the events and goings-on of the people in her life – both past and present – and, in the case of little ones yet to come or in-laws yet to marry – the future. Her contributions to her community and sacrifices on behalf of her family were many and varied. As a young woman, she became a member of The International Order of the Rainbow for Girls and The Order of Eastern Star. As her children grew older, Barbara volunteered in Brownies and Girl Scouts as troop leader, cookie sales manager, and summer day-camp leader. In Florida, she became a T-ball coach, chaperone for school trips and dances, as well as fund raiser, President, Vice President and Treasurer for the Deerfield Beach High School PTA. When later life presented difficulties and challenges, Barbara saw opportunities to serve as a Rape Crisis counselor and a fund-raiser for So All May Play and the Suicide Crisis HotLine, as well as an after-school math tutor. With a love for cultivating herbs and all plant life, Barbara was an active member of local and national chapters of The Herb Society of America. She taught by example on how to live well by helping oneself and others. The world is a better place because of her passions and energy.
Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Bradley Vanderhoff, her son, Guy Bradley Vanderhoff, and her longtime friend, Gustave DeBree. She is survived by her three daughters, Donna Gail Vanderhoff of Virginia, Lynn Marion Vanderhoff of Georgia, and Nora Lee Vanderhoff Srock and her husband, James Robert Srock, of Georgia; her two brothers, Glenn William Loucks of Florida, Douglas Charles Loucks and his wife, Marilyn Lyons Loucks, and her half-sister Diane Teufel of New Jersey; her cousins, Marilyn Buss Montgomery of Ohio and William A. Carlough of Florida; two step-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews and their families of New Jersey, Arizona, Florida, and Georgia.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the following charitable organizations: Javelan, (or other veteran-serving organization of your choosing); the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline; or, the American Cancer Society.
These causes were all very close to Barbara’s heart and in keeping with her belief of offering hope and support to those in the dire need.
A memorial service is planned for later this year. We will share more details and an online memorial link as soon as they are available.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
Dear Mom tq,
I miss you terribly, but know you are at peace, surrounded by your loved ones, holding court, asking lots of questions. It must be a big ole gabfest at a table filled with your favorite dishes and a gigantic beer! (Not one of those puny baby beers!) Hope you enjoy this poem. It made me think of you! XXOO, Lynn tp2
GONE FROM MY SIGHT by Henry Van Dyke I am standing upon the seashore. A ship, at my side, spreads her white sails to the moving breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength. I stand and watch her until, at length, she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other. Then, someone at my side says, “There, she is gone.” Gone where? Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast, hull and spar as she was when she left my side. And, she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port. Her diminished size is in me — not in her. And, just at the moment when someone says, “There, she is gone,” there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout, “Here she comes!” And that is dying…
Lynn, I didn’t know your mom but I’m glad she’s in a better place. You shared lovedly memories of her and it sounds like her life was full. All my love, Lorrie B.
Mrs. Vanderhoff —– Barbara, is what she always said to call her, but I never really did because she portrayed a “get to know me on a first name basis” air about her, but her vivaciousness of life, voluminous laughter, and huge love for others always seemed to need “Mrs. Vanderhoff” to hold all of that. : – ) After getting to know Nora (her baby girl) in high school, I quickly learned where Nora’s spark came from – her mom. Visits to the Vanderhoff household were always filled with a nod and quite hello from Mr. Vanderhoff and a booming and welcoming hello, how are you, are you hungry, what been going on, what are your plans, from Mrs. Vanderhoff. I will always cherish the memories of her laughter, funny stories, wisdom sharing stories, yummy cooking, and times like the day I called her and she had accidentally forgotten it was Nora’s birthday (after she was done yelling “oh my God, I can’t believe I forgot it was her birthday” and “thank you, thank you” repeatedly, she hung up the phone – and I’m sure dove into full mom mode to prepare the evening of celebration – before I could get in another word or goodbye), but that was Mrs. Vanderhoff – full of life, always caring, and ready for action to help and do for others. She is a light that has moved to her Heavenly home, but she is definitely a light that will continue to shine in the hearts of her Earthly home. ~ Patty B.