Barbara A. (O'Neill) Ransing

Barbara Ann Ransing, 75, of West Chester, PA, died at her daughter’s home on October 20, 2020. Born on February 11, 1945 and raised in Southwest Philadelphia by her beloved late parents, Joseph H. O’Neill and Rose Marie (McAfee) O’Neill.

She is survived by her lovingly devoted husband of 54 years, William H. Ransing Jr., her two wonderful daughters, Jennifer Ransing (Bob), Amy Mueller (David), her two beloved grandsons, Colin (17), Liam (12), her three  brothers, Tommy (Ginny), Joey, Shawn (Suzanne), her two sisters, Joanne (Howard), Trisha (Bobby) and her many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She attended Good Shepherd and was a 1962 Graduate of West Catholic High School for Girls.

My mom, Barbara Ann was always such a bright light in all of our lives! She lived most days with a song in her heart and a smile on her face, My mom absolutely loved to sing morning, noon and night for her whole life until her injury stole her voice. She sang here, there and everywhere! She sang in the shower, at the sink washing dishes, while she was cooking, cleaning, driving, gardening and even when she was hanging out laundry to dry on the clothesline. You get the picture!

My mom met my dad at Maloney’s in Margate, New Jersey in the summer of 1966. Not long after that first encounter, my dad sold his midnight black MGB Roadster sports car to buy my mom an engagement ring and she said, “Yes!” They were married on November 4, 1967 and stayed committed to one another for 54 years!  Eventually, we moved to Glenolden in Delaware County and we lived in a very nice neighborhood on Brookwood Lane, where we had many wonderful friends and neighbors.  We belonged to Our Lady of Fatima Parish and enjoyed attending Mass together as a family until 1987.  In June 1987, our family moved out to the country, to Downingtown in Chester County.  My parents lived on Waimea Drive for many happy years where our family celebrated so many special occasions and holidays together and hosted epic pool parties that we will never forget (especially when Mom and Dad were away at Buttonwood or Avalon for the weekend!).  Some of our most cherished memories are of our many beloved Family Traditions that my mom made sure to uphold each and every year such as…

- Our Annual Christmas Tree Hunt

- New Year’s Day Birthday Celebration for Dad which included watching The Mummers and feasting on Mom’s delicious cooking after she prepared the traditional meal of roasted pork loin, sauerkraut with apples and mashed potatoes.

- Birthday Celebrations were so special because my mom would make your favorite dinner and bake a homemade birthday cake in whatever flavor you wanted!

- Annual Easter Egg Dying Competition & Easter Egg Hunts (still happening from childhood to adulthood!) and so many more celebrations and family traditions the whole year through!

- My mom was an avid sports fan and enjoyed watching her grandsons compete in a variety of sports. Mom Mom Barbie was always their #1 Fan on the field or in the stands!

She had a variety of unique jobs throughout her life which included being a Houseplant Demonstrator in the 1970’s and an Avon Lady! Her main career path led her to work at ENTACC for 27 years! She really enjoyed working at the front desk as a receptionist for many years because she truly was a “people person” and she had such a pleasant personality.  Barb had a wide variety of interests some of which included gardening, bird watching, boating, fishing, singing, shoe shopping for her infamous high heels, entertaining friends and family at home, playing card games and Scrabble, family vacations in Avalon and the many years she spent enjoying our trailer at Buttonwood Beach.  More recently, she found such joy in spending time with her grandsons and watching romantic movies on the Hallmark channel with or without my dad because every movie always had a happy ending and now mom has her ultimate happy ending in Heaven!

My mom was a beautiful woman both inside and out and she was totally devoted to her husband, her daughters, her grandsons as well as all of her family and friends.  She loved her family unconditionally and was always there for us to provide love and support.  She put up a valiant fight (her own words) to stay alive and connected with her family even when her body started shutting down. She still had those beautiful green Irish eyes that twinkled and her smile would melt your heart. I always told her, “You’re my girl, Mom!”

May our sweet Barbara Ann rest in eternal peace in her High Heel Heaven!

I would like to give special thanks to my mom’s Hospice Team at Main Line Health. They provided my mom and our family with such tender, loving care and for that we are eternally grateful. You all brought your best every day for my mom to help her laugh and smile and feel comfortable. Your support and guidance helped us through the most difficult days of our lives.  Lastly. I want to acknowledge that it truly took a village to help my mom through this illness and I am forever grateful to “Team Barbie”,  which consists of Bill, Amy, Colin, David, Jennifer, Bob, Liam and Jake the Dog!   Bob’s unbelievable kindness and generosity to allow my mom to live with us over the past six years can only be described as the most loving, selfless gift to our family that will never be forgotten and our gratitude for you Bob is immeasurable! My mom loved you with all of her heart!

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her Funeral Mass 11:00 A.M. Friday, November 13, 2020 at Saint Joseph Church, 338 Manor Avenue, Downingtown, PA 19335.  Visitation begins at 10:00am at the Church also.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Barbara’s honor can be made to Main Line Health Hospice, 240 N. Radnor Chester Road, Radnor, PA, 19087,  https://www.mainlinehealth.org/ways-to-give/homecare-and-hospice/make-a-gift-online