Barbara Germain Bloomburg

1947 - 2024

Barbara Germain Bloomburg, formerly of Forty Fort, passed away peacefully Sunday, March 3, 2024, following a short illness. She was preceded in death by her husband, the love of her life, the late Stephen Allen Bloomburg of Forty Fort.

Barbara was born Nov. 7, 1947, in Wilkes-Barre to the late Peter Germain and Regina Gerko Germain. After graduating from GAR High School in 1965, Barbara was accepted into the prestigious Bellevue School of Nursing at NYU. After graduating from Bellevue in 1968, Barbara began her incredible 51-year career as a registered nurse.

A career that began in New York City, Barbara took part in ground-breaking medical procedures in the premier hospital system in the country at that time. She later returned to Wilkes-Barre and continued her nursing career working in behavioral health at Mercy Hospital, where she met her husband Stephen. She then continued working as an intensive care registered nurse for Geisinger, and was active with the American Association of Critical Care Nurses. When the Geisinger Health Care System began care management through primary care, Barbara was at the forefront, becoming a diabetic educator. As an extension of that, later in her career, she worked in home health nursing.

Always dressed to the nines, Barbara was an amazing cook and cherished sharing family recipes with her children and grandchildren (although she may have purposely left out an ingredient from time to time). Barbara was a self-proclaimed history buff and loved sharing stories about her childhood, which took her to Maine, Kansas and Cape Cod during her father's time in the military. She was a master crocheter and loved card games, classic movies and port wine. Celebrating holidays with her family was always a major event and inspired her children to carry on that tradition.

The only thing Barbara cherished more than being a nurse was being a grandmother to her nine grandchildren. Barbara had the most wonderful smile and always wanted the best for those around her. Barbara will always be remembered as a fierce advocate for her family, patients, and friends. She never hesitated to give you advice, even if you didn't ask for it. And you were always so thankful she did.

Barbara was a longtime member of St. Stephen's Episcopal Cathedral, Wilkes-Barre, where she often volunteered her time with community outreach to those with medical needs. Barbara relocated to Western Pennsylvania several years ago to be closer to family, but the Wyoming Valley was always home.

She is survived by her four children, Nicole (Mathus) Hartung, Pittsburgh; Beth (Jess) Rosentel, Mechanicsburg; Lauren (Steve) Oshetsky, Delmont; and Stephen (Dana Minucci) Bloomburg, Pittsburgh; four siblings, Catherine (Zung) Germain Nguyen, Antoinette (John) Tudgay (Toni Germain), Peter (Lisa) Germain and Regina Germain; and nine beautiful grandchildren, Benjamin, Lukas, Gabriella, Jonah, Addison, Preston, Maya, Elaina and Graham. Barbara will be incredibly missed and remembered always for the impact she had on so many people throughout her life.

A celebration of life will be held in the near future. The details will be shared in next Sunday's edition.

In lieu of flowers and in honor of her passionate devotion to her calling, donations can be made in Barbara's name to the Nursing Foundation of Pennsylvania at www.thenfp.org.