Barbara Millen Carroll

Barbara M. Carroll, 93, formerly of Irwin, went to her eternal rest Friday, March 8, 2024. She was born February 5, 1931 in Pittsburgh, daughter of the late Walter Wilson and Charlotte Gabriel Millen. Barbara was the youngest of 12, the “last of the first dozen”. She was preceded in death by her husband Thomas Benjamin Carroll, their son Robert Elton Carroll, and siblings Imogene Scull, Marjorie Dougan, Mary R. Whittle, John R., Hugh Calvin “Bucky”, Philip, William, Charlotte, Miriam and Walter David “Bud” Millen. Barbara earned a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Pittsburgh and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa society. She also served as the Editor of the university student newspaper The Pitt News. She worked in administrative roles and eventually in the publishing business, where she consistently excelled and was well respected in the industry. Shortly after her official retirement, she began as Miss Barb at Charcoal Deli, a business owned by her son-in-law and daughter. Her work there put her in the place she loved the most – a kitchen. She performed prep work but is most remembered for her baking, which was legendary. She had a gift to infuse everything she touched with love so while others can follow the same recipes, hers were always the best. Barbara so enjoyed being a part of the crew that it turned into yet another career spanning decades where she worked up until the day she fell. “Miss Barb” not only became Grandmum to the second dozen from her children, but became a Grandmum to many who worked there over those years, and she cherished spending time with all of them. Like so many from her family, Barbara thrived when she was active so being able to continue to work with her hands and spend time with young people was uplifting to her heart. Barbara’s other passions included first and foremost being there for her family, music, reading voraciously, jigsaw puzzles, puzzle books, crocheting, gardening when she was a young mother, cooking, showing up for all her grandchildren’s events, and watching sports but especially Pittsburgh sports. Hockey was her favorite so of course the Pittsburgh Penguins were by far her favorite team but any hockey and any sport would do. She was a member of the Heinz Chapel Choir and continued to beautifully sing in other church choirs her entire life. She played a bit of piano over the years and even took up hand bells in her late 70’s. Her most joyous pursuit was raising her family. Her fierce love, deep faith and unwavering support to all of her family through any circumstance was a gift to be admired and emulated. She raised her children in a blanket of love. Barbara never forgot how busy life becomes when children come along, so she took her love of cooking and brought dinner on a weekly basis to her children as they became parents. She understood how much those acts of service meant, and she cherished the time she was able to spend with her children and grandchildren. While helping her children with a meal was important for her, those visits were treasure to her because of the time she spent with her grandchildren. Barbara Carroll had a sharp mind and was a kind, strong, humble and modest woman who gave more than she took from this world and held on to her faith and her heart through the hardest trials of life. She was a paragon of virtue and anchor for her family. Her life was authentically a good show. She is survived by her children Emily T. Carroll of Parkville, MD, Thomas E. Carroll (Dana) of Cockeysville, MD, Navy Capt. Frank W. Carroll (Kristi) of Durham, NH, and Cathryn Lee (Mark) of Cockeysville, MD; eleven grandchildren; her sister Pat Tharp of TX; and numerous nieces and nephews. Friends and family will be received from 11:00 A.M to 1:00 P.M. Saturday, March 16, at the William Snyder Funeral Home, 521 Main St., Irwin. A funeral service will follow at 1:00 P.M. She will be laid to rest next to her husband at Union Cemetery. In lieu of flowers a contribution can be made to the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation at www.pittsburghpenguinsfoundation.org. For online condolences please visit www.snyderfuneralservices.com.

Barbara Millen Carroll

February 5, 1931 - March 8, 2024