Barbara Geywits

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Barbara D. Geywits returned to her Lord and Savior on May 12, 2022, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Barbara was born in Brookhaven Memorial Hospital in Brookhaven, Long Island, on May 7, 1950, to the late Edward and Edith (Cors) Jacobs. Barbara had four siblings, William, Eleanor (Ellie), Virginia, and Eleanor. 

Barbara attended and was a graduate of Sachem H.S. in Lake Ronkonkoma, Long Island where she graduated a member of the honor society in 1968. That fall she attended SUNY Delhi majoring in secretarial science. After completing her first year she returned to Long Island and worked as stenographer for the County Parks Department. In 1969 she married her college sweetheart David Wakin of Oneonta. She and her then-husband returned to upstate New York where they purchased a home in Delhi in 1977. In 1978 Barbara accepted a position at SUNY Delhi as a dorm director for two years then in 1980 she accepted a position at the SUNY Delhi Library where she worked for 28 years until her retirement in 2008. 

In 1992 Barbara married her husband Ronald Geywits on his 50th birthday. That was the beginning of a wonderful relationship that will be forever her true love. Barbara had many hobbies that included teaching fitness classes for her daughter at the Cardio Club, attending kettlebells, hiking, playing card games (hand and foot), bingo and reading. Barbara was always doing something and never slowed down. Her energy was always abundant in whatever she did. Barbara volunteered for over 30 years at the Delaware County Heart of the Catskills Humane Society where she clipped nails, provided foster care to cats, assisted with fundraising events and transporting animals to adoption clinics. Barbara was a very active member of the First Presbyterian Church in Delhi and volunteered at the Kirk thrift store. Barbara was a seasonal volunteer at the Delaware County Office of the Aging for almost nine years. She worked the reception office and was a volunteer driver for non-emergency medical transportations. Barbara received outstanding contributor of the year in 2017 from Office for the Aging. During her time in Sun City, Fla., her winter home, she volunteered for security patrol for her community. Her words: “The greatest reward for volunteering is knowing I am helping someone in need and meeting so many wonderful people - a smile and thank you mean so much,” Barbara always “took half and gave full;” she had a heart of gold to all who knew her. Ron and Barbara wintered for 16 years in Sun City Center, Fla. Every year they looked forward to making their way down to Florida to spend time with her two sisters, Virginia and Ellie, as well as many close friends. They always returned by Mother’s Day to be in New York with their family.

Barbara was predeceased by her brother William Elfast and sister Eleanor Flannery. 

Barbara is survived by her loving husband of nearly 30 years, Ronald Geywits; her children Melissa (Steve) Mostert and David (Dezeree) Wakin; stepsons Jim (Vanessa) Geywits and Christopher Geywits; grandchildren - she was so proud of each one of them: Thomas Geywits, Rhiannon Geywits, Trey Mostert, Taylor Mostert, Mercedes (Zach) Newkerk, Olivia Wakin, Sophia Wakin and Cadence Wakin; and two sisters, Eleanor (Dan) Schuierer and Virginia (Edward) Brown, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Heaven gained an angel with wings that spread beyond measure. Barbara’s heart of gold will be missed by so many who knew her. We will treasure our memories and miss her - our wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend - may she rest in peace.

In lieu of flowers consider donating to The Heart of the Catskills Humane Society. 

Services will be at 12 p.m., June 11, at the First Presbyterian Church, Delhi - reception to immediately follow at the Ponds Restaurant.