Barbara Hunting Hanley

HANLEY, Barbara Hunting Barbara Hunting Hanley died peacefully surrounded by her family at her home Friday, March 18, 2011. Born Barbara Louise Horton in Logansport, IN and educated at Michigan State University, Mrs. Hanley came to St. Petersburg in 1949, on spring break. Choosing to remain in St. Petersburg, Mrs. Hanley later graduated from the University of Miami. While living in St. Petersburg, Mrs. Hanley was employed at Webb's City as a manager of sportswear until her marriage to James F. Hunting, Jr. in 1952. In 1960, Mrs. Hanley was employed at the St. Petersburg Times and wrote a daily column "The Breezeway" under the nom de plume Sunny Sims. Mrs. Hanley left the St. Petersburg Times and went to the Tampa Tribune where she was a feature writer. She interviewed such dignitaries as Milton Berle, Bishop Sheen, Gregory Peck, Audrey Meadows, Tom Jones, and Ella Fitzgerald. She won a Florida Press Club award for a feature article on Catherine Marshall, author of "A Man Called Peter." Mrs. Hanley married John A. Hanley III in 1980 and retired after 18 years with the Tampa Tribune to care for him when he was diagnosed with cancer. Mrs. Hanley was a member of the St. Petersburg Yacht Club, St. Petersburg Historical Museum, Bookies book club, the Women's Service League and was elected to St. Petersburg's Best Groomed Hall of Fame. She wrote SPYC social column "Smooth Sailing" for over 35 years. Survivors include a son James Hunting of Palm Harbor, and two daughter's, Murphy Hunting, St. Petersburg, and Penny Hunting, Hood River, OR; three grandchildren, Casey Sherrerd, Blush Kearney and Miles Kearney; a brother Robert Horton and several nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, Mrs. Hanley requests donations to Suncoast Hospice of FL, 5771 Roosevelt Blvd., Clearwater, FL 33760. A celebration of life will be held at the St. Petersburg Country Club, 2000 Country Club Way S., Saturday, March 26, 12 - 2:30, 867-2111. Guestbook-www.davidcgross.com. David C. Gross Funeral Homes 6366 Central Ave. 727-381-4911