Barbara Manthei Myrick

Barbara Manthei Myrick, 92, of Durango, Colorado (formerly of Baltimore and Chestertown, Maryland), a lifelong reader and music lover, passed away on November 11, 2022, at Junction Creek Health Center.

Barbara was born on December 20, 1929, in Evanston, Illinois, the most welcomed only child of Albert and Amy Gustafson Manthei.  After graduating from Evanston Township High School, she attended Swarthmore College (Class of 1950), where she met her future husband, George T. Myrick. (Class of 1951, military service). Barbara and George were married on February 10, 1952, and they made their home in the Rodgers Forge section of Baltimore County, Maryland, where they raised their two children, Kathy and Tom. Barbara worked for Hollander, Cohen & Associates as a marketing research analyst for many years.

Barbara and George moved to Chestertown, Maryland, in 1985, where they built their dream retirement home, and they enjoyed many happy retirement years together until George died in 2012. Barbara became involved with the Kent County Public Library, where she served and chaired the Board of Directors. After George’s death, she moved to Durango, Colorado, to be closer to her daughter, granddaughter, and grandson. She made many happy memories during her ten years in the Southwest and made new friends through the Durango Friends of the Library. She became a faithful supporter of the San Juan Symphony immediately upon arriving in Durango and attended every performance until she developed mobility issues in her last years.

She is survived by her two children, Katherine Myrick of Durango, CO, and Thomas Myrick (Patricia) of Charlotte, NC. She also leaves behind five granddaughters -- Amy De Prospo Davlin (Shawn) of Bayfield, CO; Rebecca De Prospo (Peter Carr) of Christchurch, NZ; Olivia Myrick (Spencer Kushner) of Brooklyn, NY; Rachel Myrick (Taylor Pardue) of Durham, NC; and Natalie Myrick of New York City. She also leaves behind one great-grandson, Samuel Davlin of Bayfield, CO, who affectionately called her Gran B.

Services will be private.