Barbara Kanas

Barbara Anne Dutton Kanas was born on August 27, 1932, in Philadelphia, PA, to William Earl Dutton and Ruth Elizabeth McKaig Dutton. She is preceded in death by her husband of 50 years Frank Kanas and her husband of 8 years Lenoard Raffeo. She is survived by her sister, Jean Dutton Strong; her three children, John William Kanas (married to Cathy Gracely Kanas), Sandra Jean Kanas Hartranft (married to Glenn David Hartranft Sr.), and Kathleen May Kanas Priller (married to George Priller). She was the proud grandmother of eight: Kristi Kanas Hedrick (married to Cody Hedrick), Katy Kanas Anderson (married to McKenzie Anderson), Glenn Hartranft Jr., John Kanas Jr. (married to Hannah Swanner Kanas), Daniel Hartranft, Benjamin Hartranft, Sarah Priller, and Hannah Priller. She was also blessed with two great-granddaughters, Kinsley Hedrick and Quinn Hedrick.

At the age of eight, Barbara's family moved to Corning, NY, where they lived for four years before returning to Philadelphia. She graduated from Frankford High School, where she played trumpet in the marching band, sang in the choir, and led a Bible study group.

Following high school, Barbara attended Nyack Missional College for one year before transferring to the Philadelphia Bible Institute, where she completed a degree in Bible Nursing. She then continued her studies at Jefferson School of Nursing, becoming a registered nurse.

During this time, Barbara's family lived next door to Betty Kanas, whose brother Frank would soon become Barbara's husband. Frank proposed on their third date, though Barbara's father insisted she complete nursing school first, as marriage was not permitted during training in the 1950s.

Frank, serving as a military policeman stationed in Heidelberg, Germany, returned home on furlough in 1959 so he and Barbara could marry at Wissinoming Baptist Church. Barbara soon joined him in Germany, where they lived for three years and welcomed their first child, John. In 1961, Frank was transferred to Griffiths Air Force Base in Rome, NY, where their daughter Sandra was born.

In 1964, after Frank retired from the military, the family moved back to Philadelphia. Frank began working for the Accident Investigation Department of the Philadelphia Police Department, and in 1965, their youngest daughter, Kathleen, was born.

Barbara lived with great energy and purpose, embodying the spirit of a joyful servant. She devoted herself to her church community through service in the Sunday School, Pioneer Girls, and youth choirs, while also ensuring that every holiday was a meaningful celebration for her family. Her love of music was evident in her many years of singing in choirs and performing with the church handbell ensemble. Barbara continued her vocation as a school nurse well into her seventies, finding great joy in supporting both students and staff across many local schools.

Barbara and Frank enjoyed summers at a cottage they purchased in Perkasie, surrounded by friends from Calvary Memorial Church in Philadelphia. In 2008 Barbara and Frank moved to Elm Terrace Gardens, a retirement community in Lansdale where they enjoyed the active community until Frank passed away in 2010.

Two years later, Barbara and Leonard, who also lived at Elm Terrace, developed a close friendship that blossomed into love. One day, Leonard simply asked, "How about we get married?" Their wedding, officiated by Chaplain Bob Zweig and celebrated at Elm Terrace Gardens, was a joyful event shared with friends and family. Barbara and Leonard shared eight happy years of marriage until his passing in 2022.

While Barbara will be deeply missed, her family takes comfort in the assurance that they will one day be reunited with her. Her faith was the cornerstone of her life and something she instilled in her children from an early age. Having placed her trust in Jesus as her Savior, she lived with the confidence of salvation and the promise of eternal life.