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Barbush Scholarship Foundation

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Beverly Jane Grundusky Barbush, 81, of Harrisburg, formerly of Palmyra, passed from this life into the arms of her beloved husband, C. Donald (Don) Barbush on Tuesday, October 13, 2020, surrounded by her loving family.

Born in Osceola Mills, PA, on August 9, 1939, she was the daughter of the late Bernard Anthony and Lucretia Mae Hughes Grundusky.

She was a graduate of Osceola Mills High School, where she was a majorette, sang in all the choirs, and was voted Best Dancer her senior year.

Bev’s great passions in life were her family and helping others, especially children. She demonstrated this by working for 12 years as a teacher’s aide in the Lower Dauphin School District; by volunteering in Palmyra School District’s Elementary Schools when her granddaughters attended; by starting the first Brownie Troop in Lawn, PA in the early 1970’s; and by taking countless children and families in need under her wing. She proudly volunteered at the Hershey Medical Center for more than 20 years, most recently in the Department of Pharmacy.

Bev lived an extraordinary life. She was the family entertainer, the belle of the ball who once stood on her head to make her son’s homecoming date laugh. The one with a personality so brilliant, she lit up every room and loved making inappropriate jokes. The mom whose kitchen table was always big enough for one more kid. She was a great cook, famous for her spaghetti sauce and Halupki. She loved sharing food with friends and neighbors and loved to entertain.

Bev loved to dance, especially the polka. On her 80th birthday, she danced at Jazz on the Veranda at Hotel Hershey.
Bev made magic out of ordinary days. As “Mimi,” she taught her grandchildren to find bunny ear leaves and climbed trees with them and taught them the phases of the moon and slept under the stars and jumped into snowdrifts with them. She found something to celebrate every day, even a child wearing a new pair of shoes to school. She prayed hard and often and leaned on her faith to get all of us through the hard times. Bev taught all of us that family comes first, that children are life’s most precious gift, that laughter heals the soul.

Bev and Don were passionate Penn State football fans. They travelled to many home and away games as part of “Mae’s Mob,” a group of lifelong friends, hosting legendary tailgates.

When she wasn’t working or volunteering, Bev kept herself busy with reading, doing crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, and cooking. She also loved to garden. Bev loved singing, and shared her talents over the years in the Hershey Community Chorus, the Palmyra Community Chorus, and the choirs at the Church of the Holy Spirit and St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church.

Bev is survived by two daughters, Kerri J. Carpenter of Hummelstown, and Shelli L. Barbush of Phoenixville, a son, Thomas D. Barbush, husband of Tami of Stroudsburg; seven grandchildren, Lindsay Helt (Kevin), Ashley Jakubik (Andrew), Katelyn Carpenter, Courtney Kauffman (Nicholas), Adam Prowell, Dylan and Conner Barbush; five great-grandchildren, Cooper, Ethan, and Lukas Helt, and Kaila and Piper Jakubik (with great-grandchild number six, Baby Jakubik, due any day); and two sisters, Sharlene M. White (Carl) of Tyrone, and Patti A. LeGrand of Phillipsburg.

In addition to her parents, Bev was preceded in death by her beloved husband and the love of her life, C. Donald Barbush; and two brothers, Thomas Lee and Bernard James Grundusky.

Due to Covid 19 restrictions, a celebration of Bev’s life will be held at a later date. Please check this site for updates. The family thanks the staff at both Traditions of Hershey and Commonwealth Sr. Living for their exceptional care and kindness over the past 5 years.

Trefz & Bowser Funeral Home, Inc., 114 West Main Street, Hummelstown, is handling the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to GoFundMe.com/f/Barbushscholarshipfoundation. You can also go to GoFundMe.com and search on “Barbush.” The family will use the funds for an annual scholarship to a Lower Dauphin High School graduating senior in memory of both Don and Bev, who dedicated their professional lives to the School District.
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Donations 

  • Roger Carpenter
    • $100 
    • 3 yrs
  • Mark Prowell
    • $100 
    • 3 yrs
  • Eileen Pagano
    • $100 
    • 3 yrs
  • Anonymous
    • $100 
    • 3 yrs
  • Elaine Enders
    • $50 
    • 3 yrs
Illustration of helping hands

Give $100 to help get this fundraiser to its goal

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Organizer

Kerri Carpenter
Organizer
Hummelstown, PA

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