Patricia Anne Barbernitz

Patricia Anne Barbernitz was born April 11, 1943, at 7915 Elmhurst Ave., Rosedale, MD—her home for most of her life—and she passed away the first day of spring, March 20, 2020, age 76, at Charlestown.

Her parents were Peter and Anna (Schuch) Barbernitz, and her four older siblings were John, Catherine, Peter, and Mary Rita. Pat attended St. Clement’s grade school, The Catholic High School, Mount St. Agnes College,  and Marquette University, always an outstanding student. As a newborn she had been baptized on Easter Sunday, 1943, and all her life she worked to share the Catholic faith, even writing four books about the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. Among the places she worked were the Baltimore YWCA, the Catholic Extension in Oklahoma, St. Ambrose in Baltimore, and St. John the Evangelist in Columbia, MD. She also taught at the Washington Theological Union.

She loved life and shared hospitality and fun with everyone. Pat studied Russian and then traveled by herself in the Soviet Union in 1964 at the age of 21. She spent substantial time in Germany and Panama and all over the United States, making the most of vacations. Pat hosted family reunions and spear-headed the collection of many family stories. She was enthusiastic about baseball, Ocean City, crabcakes, coffee, “The Giving Tree,” treasure hunts and games, writing letters and articles, playing Pounce, collecting sheep, singing “You Are My Sunshine” and “This Little Light of Mine,” and praying the Memorare.

Pat lived at Charlestown her last ten years, making friends with everyone, planning get-togethers, arranging for visits, hosting meals, connecting people, living a Christian life, and always loving.

Pat wrote, “What has the most value in our family? . . . (1) The gift of faith, so richly given to us. We know that our God, Mother Mary, our Guardian Angel, and our beloved relatives and friends who have gone before us, all are part of the love and protection that surrounds us. (2) Our loving family that has provided stability and genuine care for each and every member. You have been given roots and wings.”

Pat was a beloved daughter, sister, cousin, friend, and especially an aunt. She will be greatly missed by all her nieces and nephews: Peter Barbernitz (Linda Pescarmona), Mary (Jon) Corrado, Tom (Judy) Barbernitz, Mark (Martha) Barbernitz; John (Barbara) Kashen, Peter (Sue) Kashen, Mary (Mark) Ahrenberg, Kathleen Kashen, and Friar David Kashen. Her great-nieces and nephews are Peter Michael Barbernitz (Xin Liu), Diane (Brennan) Shephard, Carolyn, Joseph, and Elizabeth Corrado, Troy and Shelly Barbernitz, Kristen Barbernitz, Kara (Tim) Settles, Mark (Shannon) Barbernitz, Katie Ahrenberg (Nikki Hillman), Laura Ahrenberg, Jennifer (Zach) Caskey, and Stephanie (Josh) Arbogast. Her great-great-nieces and nephews are Hannah Barbernitz, Ryleigh Caskey, Gunnar Arbogast, Joseph and Jamie Still, Dominic and Davyion Mayfield, and two more babies on the way.

Memorial Mass of Christian Burial, 10 am Friday, October 23, 2020 at St. Clement Church (Rosedale). Interment Holy Redeemer Cemetery. Arrangements made by CVACH/ROSEDALE FUNERAL HOME.

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