Barbara C. Deely, age 86, of Fernandina Beach, entered the gates of heaven Saturday, August 21, 2021. She was pre-deceased by her loving husband, Edward, who passed away Aug 7, 2021. She missed her husband “Eddie” terribly, and passed peacefully to join him in heaven.

Barbara was born November 23, 1934 in Philadelphia, PA to the late George D. and Dorothy H. Cole. Her Sister Carol (sons Jason and David) predeceased her.

She grew up in Philadelphia and graduated from Germantown High School, the Class of 1952. That same year, she met Edward J Deely, a handsome young devil, who served in the Marine Corps from 1952-1954. Barb and Ed were married in 1954, starting their family in Germantown, Philadelphia, before moving to South Florida in 1959. Over the course of their marriage, they raised 5 loving children- Theresa, Edward Jr., Vincent, Jennifer and Patricia.

Barb was a proud full-time mom of their fast-growing kids, ensuring they worked hard at school, were kind to others and minded their manners. She also worked part-time jobs in banking and as an office manager to support the family’s growing needs. She loved meeting friends at the beach, playing tennis and taking family camping trips to explore Florida and visiting family and friends. She was an excellent cook, and loved throwing parties, inviting friends new and old to enjoy time together.

While living in South Florida, she was an active member of St Stephens Catholic Church, and cherished many close and dear friendships.

Upon Ed’s retirement in 1983, they began a life of adventure and travel, exploring the U.S. in their camper van and via cross-country train trips, and enjoyed luxury-ocean cruising to Alaska and Europe.

Ed and Barb moved to Fernandina Beach, Florida in 1993. Barb was a long-time volunteer for Barnabas and was an early advocate for bike paths on the island. She and her “Eddie” enjoyed acting in the Fernandina Little Theatre and enjoyed monthly pizza parties with a close group of friends. They were also members of the Terpsichorean Club, and could always be found on the dance floor, until the wee hours of the morning.

Barb was predeceased by her loving husband of 67 years, Edward J. Deely, and leaves their 5 children: Theresa Soller of Grand Junction, CO (husband Derf and sons Danny and Kevin); Edward J. Deely Jr. of Houston TX (wife Johanne, deceased and children Sarah Biernbaum (husband LJ, children Julia and Logan), Matthew Deely (wife Dororthy, son Mason) and Rebecca Deely); Vincent J Deely of Loveland CO (wife Susan Atwater); Jennifer Medema of Belding, MI (husband Douglas and daughters Allison and August); and Patricia Marchand of Ontario, Canada (husband Mark).

A Funeral Mass for Barbara and Edward will be held at 11:30AM on Saturday, September 11, 2021 at St. Michael Catholic Church, Fernandina Beach, FL Following Mass, the family will receive friends at a reception in the Parish Hall. The Funeral Mass will also be available for viewing online. Barbara will be laid to rest alongside her husband Edward, in the Bosque Bello Cemetery in a private ceremony.

Flowers are welcome or memorial donations can be made in Barbara and Edward’s name to St. Michael Catholic Church, 201 North 4th Street, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034. www.stmichaelscatholic.com