Barbara R. Dahl's Obituary
Barbara Dahl 1945-2023
Babara R. Dahl, of Tampa, died January 24, 2023, at her home with family by her side. Barbara was just a few weeks shy of her 78th birthday.
Barbara is survived by her children Danielle (Christopher) Fellerhoff, Donnie (Steffi) Dahl, and Joey Dahl all of Tampa, and a stepdaughter Caroline (Bill) Wriston of Aurora, Colorado. She is also survived by grandchildren Michael, Sarah, Daniel, and Jakob, as well as great-grandson Jaxon. She was also a loving Mima to many foster grandchildren over the years.
Barbara was preceded in death by her husband Donald, her parents Wilmer and Dorothy Heffelfinger, and her brother Charles Heffelfinger.
Barbara was born in Reading, Pennsylvania, and proud of her Pennsylvania Dutch heritage. Her family moved to Tampa when she was about 11 years old. She graduated from Plant High School in 1962 and the University of South Florida in 1966 with a degree in Chemistry. She had a long career as a medical technologist, eventually retiring from Tampa General Hospital, and subsequently worked at Labcorp until retiring fully later.
Barbara cherished her homes, a little family compound that she bought for herself and her parents before she was married, and where she eventually raised her children and where she ultimately lived out her life, as had her parents, husband, and brother. Her children remain nearby, settled in at the nerve center of a neighborhood within Seminole Heights she recalled as quiet and modest, where a babbling brook ran from her backyard to the Hillsborough River just a couple of blocks downhill.
Barbara always had an inquisitive mind, always wanting to learn, whether by consulting her phone for the name of an odd looking plant encountered on a walk, or by watching German language videos with one of her beloved cats by her side. She enjoyed recreating obscure customs or preparing obscure foods she recalled from her childhood in Pennsylvania or that she discovered while researching family history and genealogy. Enjoy chow-chow, fastnachts, and mojhy apples in her memory.
Her curiosity moved her to travel throughout her life, from Florida camping trips with her kids when they were young, and then longer road trips and a few fortunate Caribbean cruises and European journeys that she was able to share with children and grandchildren.
A graveside service will be held on Saturday, February 11, at 11 AM, at Sunset Memory Gardens, 11005 US 301, Thonotosassa; family and friends will gather to continue celebrating her life later that day.
What’s your fondest memory of Barbara?
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Share a story where Barbara's kindness touched your heart.
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