Obituary of Barbara McBride

Barbara Elizabeth (LeSuer) McBride, 92, of State College, died on Tuesday, August 1, 2017 at home. Barbara was born on September 15, 1925 in Lawrence, Kansas and was the beloved daughter of the late Nelson M. LeSuer and Bess F. (Caldwell) LeSuer. Barbara graduated from the Mt. Oread University High School in Lawrence, Kansas on May 27, 1942 and shortly thereafter joined the Student Nurse Corps at the University of Kansas Hospital in Kansas City, Kansas. After graduation from the School of Nursing in 1947 and certification as a Registered Nurse in April, she returned to her parent's home in Lawrence and worked for a time as an RN in the Lawrence Memorial Hospital and then as an OB/GYN nurse in Lawrence. She married Tom J. McBride on June 14, 1947 at Danforth Chapel on the campus at Kansas University and relocated to Chicago, Illinois in 1951 when he entered the Northwestern University Graduate School as a PHD candidate. She worked as a RN at several of the Chicago hospitals and also for the American Red Cross blood collection agencies during the Korean War. Following Tom's graduation and employment as a Research Bacteriologist at Pfizer, Inc. they moved to Long Island, New York, then to Hackensack, New Jersey and then to Ridgewood, New Jersey. While in Ridgewood Barbara was very active as a Cub Scout Pack Leader for sons Doug and Duncan and as a Girl Scout Leader for daughter Susan. In 1974 Tom, Barbara and Duncan moved for four years to San Juan, Puerto Rico, returning to Waterford, Connecticut in 1979. In Waterford she was active in the Waterford Women's Club and eventually served as its President. In 1988, following his retirement from Pfizer in 1987, she and Tom moved to State College, Pennsylvania. She was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, the Eastern Star and was also a Daughter of the American Revolution. Barbara was the devoted and loving mother of son Douglas N. McBride in 1954, of daughter Susan L. McBride in 1956 and son Duncan E. McBride in 1960. She eventually became the proud grandmother of six wonderfully talented and beautiful grandchildren. She is survived by her husband Tom, of State College, son Douglas N. McBride and his children, Clinton J. and Sarah E. McBride of Anchorage, Alaska, daughter Susan Wilson and her husband, Robert, and their children, Lindsay M. and Evan J. Wilson of Camp Hill and by son Duncan E. McBride and his children, Daniel T. and Brian J. McBride of Glenview, Illinois; two sisters, Harriet J. Mark of Tonganoxie, Kansas and Marilyn M. Hogan of Vancouver, Washington; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, James L. LeSuer and Nelson M. LeSuer Jr. Friends and family are invited to celebrate her life at her home, 1221 Mayberry Lane, State College on Friday, August 4, 2017 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. A time of scripture and prayer will be led by Pastor P. Stevens Lynn at noon followed by light refreshments. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Grace Lutheran Church, 205 S. Garner St., State College, PA 16801 or to the Alzheimers Association, 270 Walker Dr. Suite 15, State College, PA 16801. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entrered at www.kochfunerlhome.com.