Barbara Iglewski

Canandaigua - Barbara (Hotham) Iglewski, age 85, gently passed away on Sunday, December 10, 2023. She was born in Freeport, PA, the middle child of Harland and Ethel (McCormick) Hotham. The daughter of a respected country doctor, Barbara grew up accompanying her father on house calls, assisting him in the office and playing with his microscopes. These experiences fed her voracious passion for science. Despite being told repeatedly that a "woman doesn't belong in science," Barbara ambitiously overcame all obstacles and successfully pursued an extraordinary career as a microbiologist.
Barbara earned her Bachelor's degree in Biology at Allegheny College and went on to pursue a PhD in Microbiology at Penn State University. It was there that she met and eventually married another graduate student, her husband of 57 years, Wally. After serving several years as faculty in the Department of Microbiology at Oregon Health Sciences University, Barbara was recruited as the first female department chair for the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. She successfully led the department of Microbiology and Immunology for 23 years and was respected for her leadership, hard work, honesty and generosity. In addition, Barbara was the first female vice provost for research and graduate education at the University of Rochester, a position she held from 1995 to 1998.
Barbara received many accolades throughout her career, but was especially proud to be inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame in 2015, honored for her ground-breaking research on how bacteria cause infections. Her discovery that bacteria use a communication system to coordinate attacks on human cells, served as a foundation for an entire field of study. As a pioneer for women in science, Barbara took a special interest in mentoring and bolstering the careers of generations of young women scientists. Her body of work had an enormous positive impact, nationally and globally.
More than an accomplished educator and researcher, Barbara balanced her life with many other interests, including travelling, rug hooking and collecting art glass. She loved relaxing at her home on Canandaigua Lake where she could tend to her garden and enjoy watching the sunset. Her most cherished hobby was spoiling her grandchildren.
Barbara was predeceased by her husband, Wally, in December of 2022; sister, Lois (Hotham) Zinsmeyer; and triplet grandsons, Abe, Ben and Adam Iglewski. Barbara is survived by her sons, Eric (Connie) Iglewski and Bill Iglewski; grandchildren, Ella, Isaac, Kinsie and Zack; great granddaughter, Ariella; brother, Harland "Sandy" Hotham III; and several nieces and nephews. Barbara will be missed by all who knew her, but especially her family and her dearest friend, Kathy Peters.
Friends may call Friday, December 15, from 6-8pm, at Johnson-Kennedy Funeral Home, Inc., 47 N. Main St., Canandaigua. A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held Saturday, December 16, at 11am, at the First Congregational Church, 58 N. Main St., Canandaigua (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIb0d32qpYte1gOC2054pLg). In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the National Women's Hall of Fame, 1 Canal St., Seneca Falls, NY 13148 or First Congregational Church. Condolences may be offered at www.johnsonkennedy.com.