Obituary of Barbara L. Hamilton

Barbara Lucine Hamilton, beloved mother, and grandmother, of State College, PA, passed away at the age of 95 on Tuesday, June 26, 2018, at her home in Juniper Village at Brookline, The Pines. Barbara was born August 23, 1922, in Lansing, MI, and was the daughter of the late Arthur L. and Gladys Harrington Davis. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert H. Hamilton on September 24, 2015. She is survived by two children, Paul A. Hamilton, of Centre Hall, PA, and Hallie A. Hamilton of Rumson, NJ; five grandchildren, Christian H. Celebuski, Brittany A. Hamilton, Calvin H. Celebuski, Andrew R. Hamilton, and Ethan H. Celebuski; brother-in-law, Floyd Waters of Indianapolis, IN, and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, Barbara was preceded in death by her brother, Irving Davis, his wife Doris, and sisters, Marjorie Waters, Virginia Edgett, her husband Jack, and Marilyn Waters and her husband Bill. Barbara was a 1939 graduate of Central High School and following graduation she was employed as a secretary for the War Training Program and for the Lansing Technical High School. She later continued her education receiving a Bachelors of Business Administration from Michigan State University in 1951 and was a member of The National Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi. After college she worked first as the office training coordinator in the Lansing School District and later for R. T. Rolls, the manufacturing manager at Oldsmobile. She also worked at Penn State University in the early 1970s and at the State College School District Alternative School Program in the late 70's and 80's. In June of 1959, she married the love of her life, Robert (Bob) H. Hamilton a PHD student at MSU at the North Presbyterian Church in Lansing. The couple first lived in Lansing, moved briefly to Raleigh, North Carolina, and finally settled in State College, PA, when Robert accepted a position with Penn State. Barbara and Robert thrived in State College and loved being active in the local community, their church, and the university. In the early 60's they adopted two children, Hallie and Paul and she often spoke about how blessed she was to have the opportunity to raise her children and doted on her grandchildren. Barbara spent many hours doing volunteer work for different organizations, most specifically Habitat for Humanity and was a member of The University Baptist and Brethren Church and for many years enjoyed participating in and organizing many activities. She had a passion for reading, especially historical novels and biographies. She often read up to a book a week and was constantly looking for new and interesting books up until the end of her life. She loved poetry and could still recite poems she had learned in childhood. She enjoyed attending Artist Series events at Penn State and taking trips to NYC to see shows on Broadway. With her family and friends she travelled extensively taking several trips in the United States and to Europe. With Bob and her children, she lived for a year in Switzerland in the early 70s, where she delighted in making new friends and hosting friends and family for lengthy visits and tours of the area and surrounding countries. She and her husband spent much of their winter in Florida for many years. Barbara and Bob joined the Centre Squares and took great pleasure dancing and socializing with their fellow members. Towards the end of her life she enjoyed spending time at the Arboretum at Penn State and Millbook Marsh with her children and grandchildren. On June 29, a private service for immediate family officiated by her pastor Bonnie Kline Smeltzer was held at Spring Creek Cemetery, with a visitation held beforehand at Koch Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life memorial service will be held on August 11 at the University Baptist and Brethren Church, 411 S. Burrowes Street, State College, PA 16801. Memorial donations may be made to the University Baptist and Brethren Church or to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Centre County, www.habitatgcc.org. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com.