Barbara Ann Houseknecht

Mrs. Barbara Ann Houseknecht (nee Hayden), a loving wife and mother, went home to be with the Lord on May 13, 2025. She was 95.

A Celebration of Her Life will be held at the Greensboro Franciscan Center, http://franciscancenter.com/ , on Saturday, June 7, at 11 a.m.

A native of Hamburg, New York, Mrs. Houseknecht was a 1947 graduate of Hamburg High School. Immediately after graduation, she took a secretarial job at Sealtest Ice Cream in Buffalo, where she worked for the next seven years.

She married her husband, the late Richard D. Houseknecht, on December 26, 1953. They were married for 58 years and had five children: Pamela M. of Mission Viejo, California; Kenneth P. (Tina) of Hamburg, New York; Robert J. (Chris) of Tempe, Arizona; Theresa A. (Mark) Borders of Summerfield, North Carolina; and Gerald K. (Shelly) of Raleigh, North Carolina. She had six grandchildren: Danielle, Julia, Alaina, Caleb, Hayden, and Hannah; and six great grandchildren: Noelle, Weston, Isaac, Judah, Matilda, and Ellis. When told that she was a “great” grandmother, she said it was about time someone recognized that!

She was an Eucharistic Minister for many years, and was active in a number of religious, charitable, and civic organizations during her life, including Parish Council (SS Peter and Paul in Hamburg, New York), Christian Family Movement, Marriage Encounter, Meals on Wheels, and resettling Montagnard Vietnamese refugees. A lifelong lover of plants and flowers, she was President of the Greensboro Garden Club for many years.

No matter what was happening in her life — and she had her share of bumps and bruises — she was always cheerful, optimistic, and encouraging to others. In her later years, she traveled extensively with her husband, enjoyed time with her children and grandchildren, and hung out with her many friends.

She had a quiet faith. Well lived, for her, was better than well said. Her actions — her life — demonstrated what she valued most: family, friends, and taking care of those who needed a little help.

She was predeceased by her parents, Alfred and Mae Hayden of Hamburg, New York, and her sister, Janet Bonczar of Eden, New York.

In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to Transitions Palliative Care, Palliative Care Consultative Support - Transitions LifeCare.