Barbara Lee Scafferi
January 27, 1936 - November 2, 2014

Barbara Lee Wilcox Scafferi, 78, of Marshalltown passed away in her home in Northwood on November 2, 2014. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, November 10, 2014 at First Congregational Church in Marshalltown with graveside services to follow at Elmwood Cemetery in LaMoille followed by a luncheon back at the church. Reverend Greg Ellcey and Pastor Dan Vellenga will be officiating. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 9, 2014 at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown.

Barbara was born to Helen and Florian Wilcox on January 27, 1936 in Marshalltown, Iowa, where she lived all her life. Barbara was baptized into the Christian faith at LaMoille Congregational Church where she later taught Sunday school and played piano for worship services.

She was raised and educated in the LaMoille and rural Marshalltown area where she was a member of the LaMoille Lucky Workers 4-H club and developed many lifelong friendships. Barbara received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1956 from Marshalltown Junior College and subsequently attended ISU going for a degree in communications and journalism.

In 1959, she married Sam Scafferi in a small ceremony at the United Methodist Church in Marshalltown- one of the first marriages performed in the new chapel there by Dr. Delahook. Two children were born to this union, Deborah Ann and Pamela Leigh, the lights of her life.

Barbara’s sense of humor and compassion touched co-workers and employers alike throughout her varied career experiences- beginning at the Odeon Theater with Betty and Neal Houtz from 1952-55; for just shy of five years in the pricing department at Fishers; during a brief stint at an insurance company in Washington, D.C.; for customers as an Avon representative from 1975-2003; for MHS as a para-professional in 1978; for Glick Elementary School in the capacity of secretary from 1979-1982. As a facilitator through Iowa Valley Continuing Education, she delighted residents and others through various programs from 1984-2000.

Writing was a passion of Barbara’s which she was privileged to share with family, writing class participants for more than 12 years, and through her monthly Past Times column, Do You Remember…., which was read by people from coast to coast from 1997-2014. Volunteer public relations positions for Anson School and PTA, Friendship Force, Sister Cities, Bike Club, and DAR gave her opportunities early on to hone her writing skills. Additional accolades for her writing came from her stories and articles published in Cappers, GRIT, Stand Alone, and Good Old Days. Most treasured for us are the letters she faithfully wrote to friends and family around the globe.

Barbara was honored to work with and enjoy the company of many members of the Marshalltown community through the Spinning Wheel Chapter of DAR where she held positions as Regent and Vice Regent; the United Methodist Church where she served on the Evangelism committee, taught Sunday school and served as president and vice president for the women’s society; Starry Grove Club from 1965-2006 and card club from 1966-78. Barbara fondly remembered her travel mates, which became fast friends when she traveled to England and Brazil, as well as the cast members of MCT’s summer production of the musical “Grease” in 1982.

Something those closest to her probably didn’t know, but Barbara liked to keep her dollar bills in sequential order and all the cans and bottles in her cupboard and refrigerator had to have their labels facing forward.

Barbara took pleasure in watching TV—everything from soaps and reality TV to the news channel and old movies. She experienced pure joy visiting with friends at her kitchen table—both in person and on Facebook, and treasured all the times spent with family. Her knowledge of current events kept everyone on their toes, and she took great satisfaction in showing off her trivia knowledge.

Keeping mental track of her accomplishments, it was heartbreaking to Barbara when she did not get an “A+” in everything she did. It’s safe to say her successes in her lifetime far outweighed her failures and she was an inspiration and cheerleader to all who knew her.

Grateful for having had the privilege of sharing in her life are her loving and devoted daughters, Deb (Joel) Rohne of Northwood, Iowa and Pam Scafferi (Scott Ferriss, fiancé) of Marshalltown; sister, Beverly (Dennis) Collins, Colorado Springs, CO; and grandchildren, Ross Sederburg and Mary Rohne; and uncle, Vernon West; as well as nieces, nephews, and several cousins. In death, Barbara is reunited with her parents, grandparents, a brother, aunts and uncles.

Memorials may be directed to the family for donation to various charitable organizations Barbara gave to over the years.

********

Tribute by Kathy Yoder