Barbara Louise Rohrback McManus, 86
Barbara Louise Rohrback McManus
March 4, 1939–September 30, 2025
A Full, Loving, and Graceful Life
MARION, Mass. — Barbara Louise Rohrback McManus, 86, died peacefully at home, surrounded by family, after a long and courageous journey with Parkinson’s disease.
Barbara was born in York, Pa., to Martin Rohrback and Dorothy Myers, who raised her in Hagerstown, Md., where she attended North Hagerstown High School. After losing both parents in her teens, she lived with her aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Jesse B. Humphreys, in Braddock Heights. Barbara attended Hood College for two years before transferring to Boston University, where she was elected to the Delta Phi Alpha National German Honorary Society and earned a bachelor’s degree in Germanic arts and literature. She later attended Katherine Gibbs School.
It was in Boston where Barbara met Gilbride, the love of her life, and an exciting new chapter began. They lived on Commonwealth Avenue during the early years of their marriage before moving to a fairytale, stucco home nestled in the woods of Milton. There, they raised their two children and created a lifetime of beautiful memories, a golden retriever always within arm’s reach. Barbara and Gil lived life to the fullest, traveling extensively with friends and family as they golfed, skied, and danced their way from one memory to the next—good times were the itinerary, and laughter was the soundtrack. Barbara’s love, devotion, and impeccable taste transformed their houses into homes, filling each room in Milton, Pawlet (Vt.), and Marion, with a palpable, welcoming warmth. She relished their decades of family vacations together in Sea Island, Ga., and in Vero Beach, Fla., where she and Gil eventually lived as “snowbirds” with some of their dearest friends.
Nicknamed “Gunner” in her teens for her skill on the basketball court, Barbara could pick up any new sport with ease and enthusiasm. She enjoyed many years of tennis at Dorset Field Club and Sippican Tennis Club before catching the golf bug and retiring her racket for a driver and endless rounds at Kittansett, The Country Club, Riomar, and wherever friends and travel took her. She had never strapped on skis before meeting Gil, but Barbara learned the sport with instant and astonishing effortlessness. Long after the dynamic duo’s knees could no longer take the impact of long runs and moguls, Gil continued to brag about his bride’s smooth turns, and her jaw-dropping style even on the slopes—conspicuous Bogner suits and fur hats that embarrassed her children to no end, but boy did she wear them well. She enjoyed many years of skiing with her family at Stratton Mountain, followed by memorable trips to Vail, Alta, and Snowbird.
Throughout it all, Barbara was a pillar of quiet strength. She gave herself wholeheartedly to what mattered most—raising her children and providing her family with the most loving life possible. Once the grandchildren started rolling in, “Mum” became “Mumma Boo,” and then, for efficiency, “Boo.” In her final years, Boo returned to Marion, where she lived with her daughter and her family until her passing. The end of Barbara’s life was filled with an abundance of laughter and love, entertaining teenage antics, angelic caregivers, endless football, golf, and tennis on the TV, and, much to her pleasure, the delightful bookend of one last golden retriever to love.
Barbara’s legacy of love and devotion to family will be carried on by her daughter, Anne Rohrback McManus; her son-in-law, Matthew Hurlbut; their four children—William, Lila, Natalie, and Teddy; her cherished cousins, Wendy Myers Heinz and Sandra Myers Hamilton; and her daughter-in-law, Melissa McManus, and her daughter, Barbara. She is now lovingly reunited in an infinite embrace with her husband, John Gilbride McManus, and her son, John Gilbride McManus, Jr., along with countless other treasured friends and relatives.
Anne and her family extend their deepest gratitude to the caregivers and schedulers at Attentive Home Care and Cahoon Care Associates, to the fabulous Sheila, and to the Community Nurse hospice team, for adoring Mumma Boo and going above and beyond to ensure that she was cared for by real-life angels in the hours when they needed to be off at work and school.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Barbara’s name to Community Nurse Hospice (https://www.communitynurse.com/), or The Michael J. Fox Foundation (https://www.michaeljfox.org/).
A memorial service celebrating the lives of Barbara and her son John will be held on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at 10 a.m. at Saint Gabriel’s Church (124 Front St., Marion), followed by a reception at The Kittansett Club (11 Point Rd).
For information about the service and to leave messages of remembrance, please visit Chapman Funerals and Cremations (2599 Cranberry Hwy, Wareham), or online at www.chapmanfuneral.com.
