Barbara Lynn Pfaffenberger

Barbara Pfaffenberger of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii peacefully passed away at a hospice facility in Pittsburgh, PA after a long courageous battle with cancer. She was born March 8, 1955 in Pittsburgh, PA to Bonita (Matthews) McDonough and Lawrence Lindley McDonough. She is survived by brothers, Douglas James McDonough (wife-Mary Louise "Mimi") of Pittsburgh, PA, Robert Lee McDonough (wife- Antoinette "Toni") of Memphis, TN, sister, Bonnie Jean (McDonough) Unnold, and nieces Heather McBride and Holly Helton of Gainesville, GA.



Barbara graduated from Central Bible College in Springfield, MO. She later earned an MBA from Texas Christian University where she met her future husband, Roger. Since Hawaii was a favorite vacation destination for both, they got married in Wailuku, Maui in 1984. Thirty-five years of wedded bliss and numerous trips to Hawaii followed. In 2012 they decided to make Hawaii their permanent home and moved to the Big Island.



Barbara had a sunny, outgoing personality and often assumed a leadership role. She was an active fund raiser for Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and appeared on television to promote the cause.



She had a life-long love of the arts. When living in Fort Worth, TX, she was a volunteer docent for over twenty years at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. She was also very active at the Donkey Mill Art Center in Hawaii.



Barbara enjoyed being physically active and helping others in their quest for fitness. For many years she taught weekly workout classes both in Fort Worth and at The Club Kona where she was a certified Les Mills instructor. An enthusiastic, much loved teacher, she made many close friends over the years.



She planned annual reunions for her family of origin and spouses---a favorite destination was Walt Disney World. For each reunion she used her artistic creativity to design matching t-shirts for all.



She was a wonderful hostess for family and friends at her home in Kailua-Kona where she delighted in sharing the places, people and things she treasured.



Barbara and Roger loved to travel. Their final trip together was to New Zealand. After he passed, she traveled to Japan on her first Road Scholar Tour.



She nurtured numerous cats through the years. They all became pampered family members.



She dearly loved all of her friends in Hawaii and always called them her "Ohana" (family). A private Celebration of Life will be held in Kona in the near future. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.



A scholarship fund is being established to honor Barbara's memory. If you feel moved to do so, please send donations to: (Please specify donation in tribute to Barbara Pfaffenberger)



Donkey Mill Art Center

78-6670 Mamalahoa Hwy.

Holualoa, HI 96725

(808) 322-3362