Obituary for Barbara Van Ness Ketchum
Barbara Van Ness Ketchum, 78, died of heart failure, September 14, 2016, in Carlisle, PA. Born in Syracuse, NY in 1938, she grew up in nearby Baldwinsville and attended the College of St. Elizabeth in Convent Station, NJ, before graduating in 1960 with a B.A. in English from LeMoyne College. Later that year, she moved to Washington, DC where she worked for Blue Cross Blue Shield and the book division of the National Geographic Society before she and her husband Jim started a family on Capitol Hill. Later in life she returned to work with Builders Registry, Office of Technology Assessment, and the Presidential Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans Illness. A woman of deep humility and strong faith who always put the needs of others before her own, she is survived by her husband of 54 years, James Ketchum of Gardners, PA, sister Marie Van Ness of Arlington, VA, son John (Katherine) Ketchum of Alexandria, VA, daughter Sarah (David) Baker of Hancock, ME, son Timothy (Carolyn) Ketchum of Portland, OR, and seven grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her son Austin. Funeral services being arranged by the Monahan Funeral Home, Gettysburg will be private and at the convenience of the family and online condolences may be made at monahanfuneralhome.com. The family suggests memorial contributions be made in her name to Catholic Charities, 924 G St., Washington, DC 20001.
Read More
Loading...