Barbara Jean Leftwich

Barbara Edwards Leftwich left this earthly realm peacefully, in her sleep on September 13 with her daughter Dana by her side.

A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend, Barbara was known for her tenacity, creativity, intelligence and quick wit.

Barbara Jean Edwards was born on July 20, 1934 in Washington D.C. She was not only a surprise to 40-somethings, Daphine and Norman, they quickly realized they were parents to a force of nature that would delight them with her dimpled smile and big brown eyes and frustrate them with her unending energy and curiosity. She loved her early life at 3133 P Street in Georgetown, adoring her older siblings, Catherine, Betty and Billy as well as miscellaneous aunts, uncles and cousins who lived with them from time to time during WWII.

Barbara loved growing up in Georgetown. A beautiful part of the nation’s capitol, there was plenty of fun to be had just blocks away. She cherished spending time with her mother, shopping at Woolworth’s, seeing the latest musical at the local movie theatre and visiting museums. She shared a fondness for Cokes and chocolate milkshakes with her father, who often took her to the local diner as a treat. Riding the streetcars with her mischievous cousins got her grounded more than once, and playing amongst the cherry blossoms in the Spring was an annual joy that she cherished always.

When Barbara was 14 years old, her wonderful life took a tragic turn when in December 1948 her beloved mother died of breast cancer at the age of 56. Only six months later she was further devastated when her father and brother died of tuberculosis just two days apart. Her world was shattered. In the following years she struggled to find a stable place to live, staying with family members here and there and working at various jobs. During those sorrowful times, Barbara was amazingly resilient and grew into a strong, independent young woman. At 17 she met her first husband, Raymond Dantuono. They had two girls, Linda and Robin, before separating and ultimately divorcing.

But Barbara’s life changed for the better on a fateful night while out on the town with friends, when she met the love of her life, Denham Leftwich. It was love at first sight for both of them. They married and Denham loved Linda and Robin as if they were his own children. Then together they had another daughter, Dana, and two sons, Daniel and Denham. Over the years, Barbara worked hard to give her children the stability she didn’t have.

The Leftwich’s lived in Washington, D.C., Maryland and California over their 60+ year marriage.

Barbara was a industrious homemaker who raised their five children, while Denham worked multiple jobs to keep the family afloat. Barbara was an expert, self-taught seamstress who sewed most of her girls’ clothes, including the first bell-bottoms anyone at her girls’ school had ever seen. She found a way to make extra money by sewing rooster potholders that the girls would happily sell door-to-door in the community. And she’d take the kids on long “adventure” walks with a wagon to pick up discarded glass pop bottles to sell back to the corner grocery store. Working together, Barbara and Denham provided a loving home for their family with fantastical Christmases, hearty Thanksgivings and joyful summers. The family ate dinner together every single night, and then gathered around the little color television in the family room until bedtime. And every summer included 10 days at the Sandy Hill Cottage steps from the ocean in Dewey Beach, Delaware.

After she and Denham moved the family to Southern California and became empty nesters, Barbara used her intelligence and natural charm to try a few careers. She was a real estate agent, a banker, manager of a health food store and a hospital administrator. But none of these jobs allowed her to express her boundless creativity. That’s when she discovered figurative sculpting, better known as doll making. Through her artistry she created fantasy worlds of benevolent witches, fairies, gnomes and elves, full of magic, hope and optimism. Many of her award-winning, one-of-a-kind dolls traveled the country in major doll shows. Well known for her inspirational designs, she was loved and admired by her peers. In addition to doll making, Barbara crocheted every night of her adult life. She made countless afghans for family, friends and those in need. One of her afghans, with her original design pattern, won first place at the Orange County Fair.

Barbara lived over 90 years by taking care of herself. She was a life-long health enthusiast, taking supplements and drinking nutrient filled smoothies decades before it became trendy. She never smoked and avoided alcohol. She credited Transcendental Meditation for eliminating her life long migraine headaches and bringing peace to her ever-active mind. She jogged her way through the 70’s, became a jazzercise champion in the 80’s, tried a little Zumba and never stopped moving until age stepped in and forced her to slow down.

Through it all, Denham and Barbara were inseparable. When Denham died of heart failure in 2017, Barbara had a hole in her life that would never be filled. After she broke her hip in 2018 and lost all mobility, her health began to deteriorate. She had emergency gall bladder removal, lived through three bouts of Covid, had life-threatening sepsis, and lymphoma with brutal chemotherapy. Through it all she was a warrior until the end. And as much as her passing creates unfathomable sorrow in her family, she is now at peace and doesn’t have to fight anymore.

Barbara loved the rain, ocean waves, lilacs, birches in the wind, and flowering dogwood trees. She was happiest when she was playing Scrabble with her beloved sister Betty, starting a new ball of yarn, meandering in a good fabric store, creating something magical in her sewing room, or just sitting on the sofa with Denham watching a storm roll through. She lived life with a ferocity that few people will ever have. She lit up every room she entered and was always the life of the party. Her wry sense of humor and witty retorts were legendary among those who knew her. She lived passionately for her family and while Barbara earned many titles over her wonderful life, she most treasured being a wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and aunt. In the end, she was anxious to be reunited with her “Denny” and her daughter Linda. And so it is. Heaven better be ready.

Barbara leaves behind children: Robin, Dana, Daniel and Denham. Grandchildren: Andrew, Sarah, Dylan, John, Malari, Garrett, Rachel, Thomas, Jessica, Hannah, Denham and Dalton.

Great-grandchildren: Derek, Nolan, Lydia, Liz (Elizabeth), Katelyn, Daphine, Bruce, Delilah, Elijah and Denham.

Son-in-law Kurk Hexum, Daughter-in-laws Giziel and Christine.

Funeral arrangements were entrusted to England Family Mortuary, Inc.