Date of Birth:
Wednesday, January 1, 1930
Date of Death:
Saturday, February 17, 2024
Age:
94 years old

Barbara J. Henoch

Barb Henoch passed away on February 17, 2024. “Hello, Love,” was her way of greeting those dear to her, and now has come our time to say goodbye. She was born Barbara Joyce Formby in the tiny hill station of Mpwapwa near Dar-es-Salaam, East Africa, on January 1, 1930, the first of Rowland and Elsie Formby’s two daughters.  Barb’s father was a Certified Public Accountant for a veterinary department in the British Colonial Service. As the wife of a government employee, Barb’s mother led a life of leisure, enjoying the services of maids and house servants. Barb would say her family led an opulent life.

In 1936, Barb traveled by steamer to England with her family on vacation. Because there was no education available for her in Mpwapwa, her parents had enrolled her in a boarding school in Calderstones, a suburb of Liverpool. Because of travel difficulties imposed by World War II, she would not see her family for eight long, turbulent years.

Fortunately, her two teachers at boarding school were kind to Barb. They taught her manners, elocution, ballet, piano, horseback riding, and band. For three years, they looked after her as if she were their beloved daughter.

As war clouds loomed on the horizon in 1939, Barb along with the other school children, were assigned to families for their safety. Thus began a period of five years where she was moved from family to family and town to town (Betws-y-Coed, Amlwch, Anglesey, and Liverpool). A month after Barb was moved to Liverpool to be with her aunt Vera, uncle Frank, and their son David, the Germans began an eight-day attack on the city. During the days that followed, 800 German raiders would drop 2,000 bombs, start 1,200 fires, kill 1,453, and injure over 1,000 more. When the German bombardments started, Barb and her family spent every night in their underground shelter.

From the events of her childhood, Barb said she learned patience, how to nurture others, how to ride with disappointments, and how to adapt to new situations. Above all, she learned never to take anything for granted.

Following the war and reuniting with her family, Barb left England in her twenties to begin life anew in Canada. There she was educated in various phases of personnel work. She had hoped to come to the United States, but could not, because immigration laws admitted only two people every ten years who were born in Africa.

Barb came to California from Canada in 1959 and became personnel manager of Transformer Engineers in San Gabriel. In Sacramento, she met and married Leland (Bud) Foster who worked for the Army Corps of Engineers. When the Corps assigned him to several projects in Germany, Barb worked for Lancôme Parfums et Beauté International & Cie at the Frankfurt PX. Barb and Bud moved to Rochester in 1991 where he was assigned to work on the area’s Flood Control Project. He died in 1992 from melanoma and his ashes were interred at Arlington National Cemetery.

Through the efforts of a mutual friend, Barb and Phil Henoch met in 1993. He drove a Continental Mark 8, and when he took Barb for rides in it, he would say, “This flies.” Barb referred to the car as Phil’s stealth bomber and was sure they were airborne at times on hilly rides. Following two years of dating, Phil asked Barb if she would marry him, she agreed, and thus began seventeen joyful years together that included working and attending Ronald McDonald House fundraisers, world travel, spending winters at their condo in Carlsbad (California), going to symphonies, and more. Phil said, “What I like best about Barb is that she is a wonderful person. I like her integrity. There is nobody more sincere and who cares more about others than Barb.” Phil passed away in 2012.

Barb found new love with Jack Nelson, who also lived at Charter House, and in 2018 the two pledged their lifetime commitment before God and family. Barb and Jack flourished together, cared for one another, traveled together, and celebrated the fulfillment of their lives with friends of Charter House and the community. Jack passed away in January 2022.

It was Barb’s philosophy to stay active as long as she was able to enjoy the numerous activities that were available to her. She knew that as she aged it was important to be surrounded by people who loved and cared for (and about) her. Energetic, upbeat, life-loving, witty, and adventurous, she truly made the most of the years given to her.

Barb was an active volunteer and supporter of Ronald McDonald House, American Cancer Society, Charter House Residents Council and Spiritual Living Committee, and Veterans Memorial Museum.

Barb is survived by countless friends and loved ones.

A celebration of Barb’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 21, 2024, at Charter House. Memorials are preferred to the Ronald McDonald House.

Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com