Barbara L. (Bobbie) Colabrese, 81, beloved sister, godmother and aunt, died peacefully at Greenfield of Berryville on Friday, Jan. 4, 2013.
Born Oct. 28, 1931, in Douglas (Albert), she was the youngest daughter of the late Frank and Antonietta Colabrese.
Miss Colabrese began playing the piano, singing and tap dancing at the age of 3, and continued to entertain others with her musical talents until as recently as November 2012.
Miss Colabrese graduated from Thomas High School in 1949, and from Potomac State College in 1951. Later, she received her M.S. in music education from West Virginia University.
While attending college, Miss Colabrese was the Queen of Winter and served as an officer of the Potomac State Players, Delta Psi Omega, the Epsilon Chapter of Sigma Iota Chi, the Sigma Phi Omega Honor Society and the Women’s Residence Council. Also, she was a member of the Potomac State Singers, the Potomac State Band, The Newman Club and the Women’s Athletic Association.
In 1953, Miss Colabrese began teaching band, vocal, and general music at Rainelle High School, Rainelle. She finished out her 15-year career as a vocal and general music teacher at Southern High School in Garrett County, Md. While there, she had the pleasure of directing many talented young people in yearly musicals which included: “Bye, Bye, Birdie,” “Oliver,” and “Brigadoon.”
A lifelong Roman Catholic, Miss Colabrese was the organist and choir director at St. Thomas Acquinas Parish for more than 30 years. After relocating to Charles Town in 1999, she became a member of St. James Parish.
An avid sports fan, her three favorite teams were the Phillies, the Steelers and the WVU Mountaineers.
Miss Colabrese is survived by her sister, Yolanda (Yonnie) and brother-in-law Kenneth Sims of Charles Town; sister-in-law, Loretta Colabrese, Florida; 14 nieces and nephews, and numerous great-nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by seven siblings: Elviera Maphis, Gloria Vandendriessche, Alfonso Colabrese, G.J. “Bill” Colabrese, John T. Colabrese, Lucy B. Colabrese and Eleanor C. Golladay.
The family would like to thank Blue Ridge Hospice of Virginia and the staff of Greenfield of Berryville for their excellent care and support; St. Bridget of Ireland Catholic Church members who brought Communion every week; and the people of St. Thomas Acquinas Parish, Thomas, and St. James the Greater Roman Catholic Church, Charles Town for their prayers and support.
Friends were received at Hinkle Funeral Home in Davis on Sunday, Jan. 6. Rosary was recited. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held today at 10 a.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Roman Catholic Church with celebrant, Father Timothy Grassi. Interment will follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Thomas.
Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.hinklefuneralhome.com.
