Barbara W. Baumgartner

Barbara Walker Baumgartner died at Cathedral Village in Philadelphia, PA on April 18, 2024. She was 84 years old.
Barbara grew up in Hockessin, Delaware, with her parents, three younger sisters, and many dogs, cats, and chickens. From an early age, she enjoyed being outside in nature, reading, and telling stories.
Barbara graduated from Oberlin College in 1961 with a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature. She earned her Master’s Degree in Library Science from Drexel University in 1968, and her Ph.D. in Education and Storytelling from Union Institute and University in 1996.
During her 29-year career with the Free Library of Philadelphia, Barbara worked as a Children’s Librarian at various branch libraries, and as Library Coordinator for the Northwest area.
As a professor of Children’s Literature and Storytelling, Barbara taught at several local colleges and universities.
Barbara was also a storyteller and a founding member of Patchwork Storytelling Guild.
Her first book, Crocodile! Crocodile!, was published in 1994, a collection of world folktales. She went on to publish three more books of folktales.
After her retirement in 2006 from the Free Library, she spent over ten years as an after-school educator and camp counselor at the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education in Philadelphia. She loved working with children and being in nature every day.
Barbara was raised in the Episcopalian church, and continued to be active in the church for her whole life, most recently at the Church of St Martin-in-the-Fields in Philadelphia. She was a church school teacher, book club leader, Vestry member, chalice bearer, liturgist, intercessor, lector, Stephen minister, and godparent to many St. Martin’s babies.
Barbara enjoyed reading, quilting, Chinese brush painting, concerts and plays, walks in the Wissahickon, and spending time with friends and family.
She is survived by her daughter Kirsten; her grandchildren Nevin and Gretchen; and her sisters Ginny, Betsy, and Margaret.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, April 26th at 11am at the Episcopal Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, 8000 St. Martins Lane, Philadelphia PA. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Free Library of Philadelphia, the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, or the Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields.
Special thanks to the staff of Bishop White Lodge at Cathedral Village, and Crossroads Hospice, who cared for Barbara with such kindness and compassion at the end of her life