Elizabeth Kathleen Munyon Barbe (Betty), 85, of Massey, MD, died on Wednesday, October 13 in Longmont, Colorado.

The daughter of Margaret Beck Munyon and James Munyon, Betty was born in Bridgeton, New Jersey, on September 25, 1936.  She spent her childhood years in Salem, NJ and in high school moved to Massey, Maryland where her parents purchased a farm. After graduating from Galena High School, she earned her undergraduate degree from University of Maryland and her Masters from Catholic University.  She was a longtime member of both Gamma Phi Beta (Beta Beta chapter) and Sigma Alpha Iota (professional music sorority).

Betty married David Barbe in June, 1965 and moved to West Laurel, Maryland, where they raised their two children, John and Jane.

Elizabeth was a devout catholic throughout her life.  She was a member, organist, and choir director for Saint Mary of the Mills Catholic Church in Laurel.  Later, she served as the music director for the Interfaith Center in Columbia and after retirement, she returned to her home parish, Saint Dennis in Galena.

Professionally, Betty devoted her 39 year career to primary music education.  She taught elementary music and choir in both Prince Georges and Montgomery Counties until her retirement in 2012.  She was an avid supporter of and volunteer for the Mid-Atlantic chapter and the National American Orff Schulwerk Association.

Betty was passionate about music, reading, history, travel, gardening and after moving back to the family farm in Massey, she spent her golden years traveling to Europe, attending history classes at George Washington University in Chestertown, participating in garden club and singing in the Chester River Chorale.  Also devoted to volunteering and charity work, she was inducted into the Maryland Senior Citizens Hall of Fame for "lending her time and talent to eight different organizations which help others with the goal of improving the quality of life for people and being a tireless supporter of the poor, education and the arts."

She lived her last three years near her family in Colorado, where she was a member of the Longmont Chorale.

Elizabeth was preceded in death by her parents, Margaret and James Munyon and her grandson Matthew Whitehead. She is survived by her two children and daughter in laws, John Barbe and Sally Barbe of Longmont, CO, Jane Barbe and Lori Lynn of Loveland, CO.  She is also survived by her grandchildren Jamie Lynn-Barbe of Baltimore, MD, Blake and Paige Whitehead of Wheat Ridge, CO and Lindsey and Ryan Brongers of Woodland Hills, California, and her great-grandson, Emmet Brongers.

She will return to her beloved Eastern Shore for her funeral service and burial.   The viewing will be held from 6-8 pm on Tuesday, October 26, Galena Funeral Home of Stephen L . Schaech.  Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. Wednesday, October 27 at St. Dennis Church in Galena, M D.  Internment will follow in the Massey Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to MACAOSA and mailed to 1100 Quaker Hill Dr. Apt 311 Alexandria, VA 22314 designated in her name.  The Middle Atlantic Chapter of AOSA is setting up a memorial fund to send first time attendees to the AOSA National Conference.  Donations may also be made to the Chester River Chorale, P.O. Box 461 Chestertown, MD, 21620.