Our little sister Barbara Ansell has passed away after a valiant fight with breast cancer. We are devastated to lose such a unique and creative and brilliant woman in the prime of her life. She was an uncompromising artist, a collector of beauty, an amazing designer of fashion, a devoted mother, the coolest Aunt, and a deep deep soul. As a young girl she was the kid who saved kittens and bunnies and loved riding our horse JoJo. A graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University in Fine Arts, she later pursued a master’s in political science. She moved to New York City during the 80s and lived in Williamsburg in a fabulous warehouse way before it was trendy. She supported her art as a scenic on Broadway, a caterer and worked many years at the Academy of Sciences where she made many lifelong friends. She left NYC after 911 and spent time in California helping care for our mother and then moved to Virginia to be closer to her lifelong best friend sister Lynn. During Covid she was a bad ass Amazon driver and operated an Etsy shop where she sold incredible vintage finds and her own clothing designs. She passed away at her sister Lynn’s home surrounded by family. We hope she can now rest in love and peace and be reunited in spirit with her daughter Martha who died in May. A celebration of her life will be held at Lynn’s Home at 2pm this Saturday, July 23 in Bristow Virginia.
Barbara is survived by her siblings: Chris Ansell (Suzanne Ryan), Julie J. Ansell (Orla O’Keeffe) and Lynn Rodgers-Kuperman (Val); nieces and nephews: Nino Rodgers (Corey Sanger), Amanda Berry, Ella Ansell, Edward Rodgers, Elante Berry, Lillian Ansell and Isabella Kuperman.
Condolences may be sent to: www.oldetownefh.com
2 Responses
Beautiful spirited Barbie you will be so greatly missed by all who loved you. Gone too soon. Rest In Peace with your sweet Martha. Your cousin Annie D. I love you.
I was Martha’s fifth grade teacher and loved her and Barbara so much. I am devastated by both their passings. Both were artistic, creative, kind, loving, strong, independent woman and I will always be grateful they passed through my life. My deepest condolences to the family.