Barbara Walker

Barbara Fischetti Walker, 80, a teacher, wife, mother, sister, grandmother, godmother, aunt, niece, neighbor and friend, died on Friday, June 24, 2022.  She was surrounded by loved ones and her devoted caregiver.  She was deeply loved by countless people, and touched so many lives, especially those of her students at Washington Grove Elementary in Gaithersburg, Maryland. 

Barbara went to high school at Scotch Plains/Fanwood High School in Scotch Plains, NJ.  She spent one year at Montclair State Teachers College in New Jersey, before following her family to Maryland and graduating from the University of Maryland in 1964.  She was a proud member of Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority.

Barbara taught school at Washington Grove Elementary for 42 years.  Teaching was her passion.  She taught whole families, and even some children of her former students.  She was totally devoted to teaching and was well loved by those who were lucky enough to be taught by her. 

During her career. she won a national award from Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD).  The Educator of the Year Award honors educators who have demonstrated outstanding achievement as an educator of students with ADHD. It recognizes and rewards the special skills and excellence of educators throughout the United States. This award gives recognition to general or special educators of students with ADHD. The awardee exemplifies the highest standards of their profession, and is an educator who, through their influence past and present on the lives of young people with ADHD, made significant contributions to their school and/or communities. 

Each year she wrote, directed, choreographed and presented a 5th Grade Play.  It was always a big extravaganza and an excellent production.  Barbara was always on her pillow in front of the actors, mouthing the words and leading all in the right direction.  Former students often returned to help her with the play.

Barbara was predeceased by her husband, Paul “Mickey” Walker, and her mother and father, Mildred and Rocco Fischetti.  Barbara is survived by her two sons, Jeff Walker and Chris Walker, her daughters-in-laws, Andrea Walker and Sapna Yathiraj, her grandsons, Jack and Lukas Walker, her sisters, Roxanne Fischetti West and Sheree Fischetti Cramer, her nephew Ryan Cramer and his wife, Saoirse, her goddaughter, Kelsey Cramer, and her favorite aunt, Marie Porcaro.

As those who knew her know, Barbara loved to talk, and often talked peoples ears off.  She loved the beach and getting tan.  She was a passionate Democrat and sincerely cared about those who were less fortunate.  She was the cleanest person we all knew and was often seen wiping and sweeping.  She was a light in our lives and will be remembered and loved forever by all who knew her.

Viewings will be held this Thursday, June 30th from 2-4 and 6-8 at 

Barber Funeral Home, 

21525 Laytonsville Rd

Laytonsville, MD  20882

Saturday, July 2nd

A mass will be held on Saturday, July 2nd at Noon at

St. Peter’s Church, 

2900 Olney Sandy Springs Road

Olney, MD 20832

Interment 1:30 at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Silver Spring, MD.

Donations in her name can be made to:  Dementia Society of America, by mail to PO Box 600, Doylestown, PA 18901, or online at http://www.DementiaSociety.org/donate.

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