Barbara Ellwood

Barbara Huff Ellwood, 87, of Lancaster, Ohio passed away on December 1, 2016 at the Pickering House. Barbara was born on July 12th, 1929 in Canton, Ohio to Frances Huff and Adella Portz Huff. Barbara was the youngest of six children. Her siblings included Kathryn Strong, Robert Huff, Margaret Immel, Dorothy Pettibone, and Richard Huff. Barbara graduated from Dover High School in Dover, Ohio in 1947 and Ohio Wesleyan University in 1951. While a student at Ohio Wesleyan University, Barbara was a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority and the Kappa Delta Pi education honorary. Barbara received her bachelor’s degree in secondary education. Barbara taught school in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Long Beach, California, and Lancaster, Ohio.

On December 29, 1951 Barbara married her high school sweetheart and the love of her life, Richard “Dick” Ellwood. Barbara and Richard first met as first grade classmates in 1935. Together Barbara and Richard had three children and five grandchildren whom Barbara loved very much. Son, Brockton Ellwood, his wife, Margaret, and their two children, Sarah and Carter, reside in Tucson, Arizona; son, Brian Kipling Ellwood, resides in Los Angeles, California; and daughter, Ann Ellwood Van Wey, and her three children Cooper, Colin, and Cole reside in Phoenix, Arizona. Barbara was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. Additionally, Barbara was an avid Ohio State University football fan having spent many Saturdays attending OSU football games including watching her beloved Richard during his playing days as an OSU Buckeye.

Barbara and Richard have lived in Lancaster for over fifty years. Barbara was involved in numerous civic and charitable organizations including The Fairfield Heritage Association, Friends of the Fairfield County District Library, Lancaster YMCA, Meals-on-Wheels, and Froebel Club. Barbara’s true love for history led to her involvement in the restoration of both the Georgian and the Sherman House. She volunteered as a docent at both museums. Barbara was a long time member of The First Presbyterian Church in Lancaster, Ohio. Barbara was very proud of living in Lancaster and she truly cared about those in the community.

A private burial service will take place at the East Avenue Cemetery in New Philadelphia, Ohio. A memorial service/celebration of Barbara’s life will be held on a future date. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Fairfield Heritage Association, Lancaster, Ohio or The First Presbyterian Church, Lancaster, Ohio.

Frank E. Smith Funeral Home and Crematory has been entrusted with her arrangements. Online condolences can be made at www.funeralhome.com