Barbara Jean Crippen

Barbara Jean Crippen has left her humanly body and returned to her loving parents, Larry and Lillian Crippen, who preceded her into heaven. Despite bravely, and with unceasing positivity, fighting liver cancer and other health issues, on July 29, 2026, her 73-year-old body could endure no more. She passed peacefully at the SECU Hospice House of Brunswick County North Carolina surrounded by her sister Sue niece Jennifer, and cousins Joyce and Roy Moses. Barb was born at St Vincent's Hospital on August 9, 1952. She attended grade school at her home parish of St. James and graduated from McAuley High School in 1970. Her career began in Toledo as a medical assistant, working for Dr. Morton Schulak D.P.M. and later for a cardiologist, Dr. Earl S. Perrrigo M.D. Her attention to detail, and what some would call stubborn determination, won her the frustrating job of dealing with health insurance claim processing from the provider side, setting her up for success as a customer service representative for Aetna Insurance in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania. Barb was an active member of the Business and Professional Woman's Association of Toledo, and on February 20, 1999, was named their Woman of the Year. St James Parish presented her with a plaque honoring her for her "Many Years of Outstanding Service and Unselfish Devotion to our Parish and Community" in October of 1999. Fleeing a particularly harsh Pennsylvania winter, Barb retired from Aetna Insurance in 2016 and moved to St. James, North Carolina, where she and her sister, Sue, settled into a rewarding retirement lifestyle. In retirement, Barb added her voice to a local group of volunteer vocalists performing at assisted care facilities throughout Brunswick County, NC. As a volunteer docent, she provided visitors with interesting facts at historic sites in both Pennsylvania and North Carolina. As she had been in Toledo, she continued her active involvement in Women's groups advocating for the improvement of the lives of women less fortunate than she. Barb was known for her warm smile, kind heart, infectious laugh and ruthless desire to win at 5 Crowns, Rummy or Mexican Train Dominoes. She is survived by her sisters, Jacqueline Crippen Gantt of Baldwin, Wisconsin and Susan Crippen of Southport, North Carolina; her nieces, Peggy Gantt and Jennifer Berning and husband Lynn; and nephew, Paul Gantt and wife Christine Morgan; her grand-nieces and nephew, Bailey Berning, Kaleb Berning and wife Mercedes, and Chloe Berning; numerous cousins; and her loving canine, Jamie. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother-in-law, James Gantt, and her beloved pets Buddy and Molly. A memorial service was held at Trinity United Methodist Church in Southport. The service was recorded and is available for viewing on Trinity's webpage at https://southporttrinityumc.com. A memorial service will be held on Friday, August 28, 2026 at Coyle Funeral Home at 1770 S Reynolds Road. Visitation will be at 9:00 am followed by her memorial service at 10:00 am. She will be laid to rest at Resurrection Cemetery following the service. The family will be forever grateful for the compassionate care Barb received by the amazing nursing staff during hospice care. We request that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the SECU Hospice House of Brunswick, 955 Mercy Lane, Bolivia North Carolina 28422. Online condolences may be made at CoyleFuneralHome.com.

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Barbara Jean Crippen

August 9, 1952 - July 29, 2026