Barbara Ellen Ferguson

Barbara Ellen Ebert Krebs Ferguson left this world peacefully in her sleep, surrounded by love, just after midnight on Friday September 12 at her apartment in Baltimore County. She lived 94 wonderful years! Barbara was born April 13, 1931, in the Baltimore neighborhood of Highlandtown. She was the first of three daughters and one son to Ginny and Henry Ebert.

Barbara was a Baltimorean through and through and enjoyed growing up and living in and around Baltimore her entire life. She attended St. Elizabeth's Catholic School, Catholic High School and later in life she attended Notre Dame College in Baltimore. Barbara married Bob Krebs in 1952 and spent 55 joyful years with her loving husband until he passed in 2008. Together, they had 7 children. Barbara married Alan Ferguson in 2011. They spent 3 happy years together until he passed away in 2014.

Combined, Barbara and her siblings were a large family, and they were a big part of her life. Often all the aunts, uncles and cousins, 34 people, would gather to celebrate or vacation or simply enjoy each other's company together. Hen and Gin had a shore house on Middle River in Bowleys Quarters where they would all spend time. Barbara's memories of the shore were deep and lasting. So much so, she frequently spoke of dreams she'd had about that time and place. To Barbara, heaven was going to be a reunion with passed loved ones at the shore house on the water.

She had a great imagination, loved to tell stories and entertain her grandchildren, or anyone, with her tales of the past. We loved to listen. She was fun to be around. Barb and Bob enjoyed traveling the world together. She had an adventurous spirit and after Bob passed Barbara travelled alone or with friends or family for as long as she could. She was a voracious reader and liked various topics from history and politics to the royals and legal thrillers. She loved ice skating, the beach, fashion, gardens, a good cup of coffee and the shopping mall, but not necessarily in that order. She was a good snow skier and enjoyed tennis and golf. Throughout her life Barbara was dedicated to the Catholic faith and particularly enjoyed being a lector at Mass in her later years.

In the mid 1970's Barbara was proud to work for Baltimore City Mayor Schaefer and later at the Family Children's Society of Maryland, the United Way of Central Maryland and Mercy Hospital. Barbara believed in activism and cared about equality and women's rights along with other causes for the greater good. She volunteered to help with countless committees, boards, elections and events.

Barbara's sister Ann Wagner, brother Henry Gerard Ebert, Jr. and daughter-in-law Carol Krebs preceded her in passing. She is survived by her sister Joan Ryan, and children Marty Krebs, Connie and Rich Bison, David Krebs and Tiffany Kelsey, Jenny and Kevin Zawacki, Bert and Jane Krebs, Ginna and Tom Alderman, Barbie and Robert Howell, along with 14 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, 1 great great grandchild (with 2 more on the way) and many nieces and nephews. She will always be with her family, dedicated and devoted, full of love and support for them. She was often unfairly asked, "who is your favorite child?", her reply was always "the one who needed me the most".

The family would like to express their gratitude to all the caregivers who provided compassionate assistance to Barbara at the end of her life and especially the staff at Thrive including Chelsea Alderman, Cynthia Stewart, Kendra Greene, Sharon Butler and Tammi Banks. The scope of our thanks cannot be described in words.

A celebration of Barbara's life is being planned, and details are forthcoming.