Barbara Ann Gretencord

Barbara Ann Gretencord, a resident of Harmony at Kent in Dover, Delaware, passed away on April 16,
2024, at the age of 85.
Barbara was born on May 15, 1938, in Ishpeming, Michigan, to Lawrence Clinton Bone, Sr. and Helen A.
Salson Bone. Her early life in Ishpeming was spent learning how to sew from her mother, receiving
Finnish lessons from her grandmother, ice skating with her older brother, younger sister, and cousins,
and working at the local telephone company. She met the love of her life, Wayne, in Marquette
Michigan while he was serving in the Coast Guard. Their first date was spent dancing. They married in
1960 and went on to have 62 years of happiness, including raising their three children, Lauri, Tim, and
Julie. As a Coast Guard wife, Barbara spent many years adapting to new homes, including Baltimore
MD, Portsmouth VA, Washington DC, and St. Louis MO, and finally a return to Washington, DC in 1972.
During the years, Barbara willingly and beautifully served her family, schools, church, and community
with her gift of motherly love and selfless devotion. A dedicated Catholic, Barbara was a member of the
Women's Auxiliary and she spent many decades supporting and traveling alongside Wayne to Knights of
Columbus functions. Barbara was extremely creative and enjoyed writing, crocheting, jewelry making,
drawing, and painting. In fact, she is the proud author of the published book, Granny's Buttons.
Barbara was a two-time cancer survivor and during her treatments, she never once complained. She
bore her crosses bravely and silently. Family was always near to support her – that was her medicine.
She cherished family time, especially the multi-decade tradition of going to the Outer Banks of North
Carolina every year and getting to play Scrabble with her sister Suzie. She loved traveling and was
always planning the next great adventure with Wayne.
Once retired, Barbara and Wayne moved to Lake Anna in Mineral, Virginia, where they spent the next 20
years enjoying sunsets from the deck with family, life-long friends, and neighbors.
Barbara will be remembered for her generous heart, contagious smile, love of dancing, and her love of
singing, especially in church (she had quite the vibrato). Mostly though, she will be remembered for her
abundant and everlasting love for her husband, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
Barbara was proceeded in death by her husband Wayne. She is survived by her children Lauri Wilson
(Bill), Tim Gretencord (Teresa), and Julie Arnold (Rick). She is also survived by her grandchildren Adam
(Therese), Jessica (Nikki), Kelly (Peyton), Jordyn (Kenneth), Christopher, Kaitlyn (Jo), Austin and
proceeded in death by granddaughter Elizabeth. Barbara was the proud great-grandmother of Joseph,
John Henry, Charles, Thomas, Clara, Rose, Lucy, Violet, and one on the way. She was proceeded in
death by her brother Lawrence Bone and her sister Suzanne Griggs. She has many nieces, nephews and
extended family who knew her lovingly as "Barb".
If her beloved Wayne were here and we asked who's your (Hoosier) honey? – he would lovingly say "my
beautiful bride Barbie Ann".