Obituary of Barbara J. Vail

VAIL, Barbara, 69, of Scranton, PA, passed away on July 18, 2019. She was the daughter of Jane (Jones) and Joseph Lesh, both of blessed memory. She most recently resided in East Norriton, PA.

A loving mother, grandmother, aunt, and great aunt, Barbara worked at Country Side Animal Hospital in Moscow, PA, where she was a veterinary technician, prior to retiring in 2012.

She attended Scranton Technical High School. 

She is survived by her daughter Shannon (Ike) Richman, her granddaughters Jane Poppy, Allanah and Lauryn Richman, of East Norriton, PA; her sister, Mary Teresa Passmore, of Scranton, PA; and brother, John “Billie” (MaryAnn) Lesh, of Mechanicsburg, PA. She is also survived by six nephews and nieces, and nine great nephews and nieces.

In lieu of flowers, friends and family are encouraged to support the SPCA of Montgomery County, 19 E. Ridge Pike, Conshohocken, PA, 19428, in Barbara Vail’s memory.

A celebration of her life will be observed on Saturday, August 10, beginning at 12 p.m. at 2314 Sienna Drive, East Norriton, PA.

Barbara had a special connection with animals. She was a modern-day Dr. Doolittle, always knowing how to attract a stray pet, or an animal in need of shelter. Her true love was a chihuahua, Chew, whom she rescued from Oklahoma and lived with her for nearly 11 years. The two were inseparable. 

Barbara loved to drink a Diet Pepsi while watching the news on television with a vested interest in the weather. She also enjoyed watching Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy, or participating in family game night.

She enjoyed extensive phone conversations with her friends and family, reminiscing about her hometown of Scranton.

One of her greatest joys was spending time reading books, playing and sharing stories with her precious granddaughter, Jane, who will celebrate her third birthday on August 26.