Barbara C. Groves

PHOENIXVILLE, PA – Barbara Carolyn Groves, 88, died Wednesday, May 3, 2023 at Brandywine Living.

She was born December 3, 1934 in Rutland, Vermont, the daughter of Rena (Clark) Mills and David Mills.

Barbara was a 1952 graduate of Brandon High School in Brandon, Vermont. She went on to study at The University of Massachusetts where she met her future husband Arthur while both were playing in the marching band. They wed in September 1953, and remained married until his death in February, 2020. After Arthur graduated from The University of Massachusetts, they moved to Maryland where he began work at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds, and they raised four children.

She worked for a short time for the US Army at Edgewood Arsenal in Edgewood, Maryland. She also worked as a substitute teacher in the Harford County School District in Maryland. After her four children were old enough to go to school, Barbara returned to college, attending both Harford Junior College and Towson State College. She eventually earned degrees in both Biology and Chemistry.

Barbara took great pride in her “green thumb” - her favorite plant was the African Violet. One could find dozens of violet plants around Barbara’s house in various stages of development. All she needed was one leaf to grow a new plant. Later in her life, she developed a love for orchids. The outside of her house was as beautifully landscaped with flowers as the inside.

Survivors include her four children, Alan (Paula) Groves of Gilbert, AZ, Marilyn Groves of Queens, NY, Diane (John) Bishop of Orlando, FL and Lorraine (Michael) McCamley of Skippack, PA; her brother David Mills; 6 grandchildren and loving nieces and nephews.

There will be a private family service.