Barbara S. Raffensperger

YORK – Barbara S. (Stearns) Raffensperger, 90, of York, passed away, Monday, August 22, 2022, at Country Meadows in York. She was the wife of the late Ross R. Raffensperger who passed away, May 24, 2018.

Mrs. Raffensperger was born in Carlisle, PA on Friday, November 13, 1931. She was the daughter of the late Brewester and Dorothy (Price) Stearns.

Barbara graduated from Carlisle High School, class of 1949. She married Ross in 1951 and moved to Philadelphia where Ross attended College. They moved back to Carlisle when he graduated, and she worked for her father as a Bridal Consultant until the birth of their daughter. In 1958 they moved to Mount Wolf where she was a stay-at-home mom until her children were both in school. She then got a job with LIU as a teacher aide. As a result of her work, she and Ross became interested in Special Olympics as volunteers and were certified as coaches in Bowling, Athletics, and bocce. They were co-directors of the bowling program and were on the management team. Barbara was secretary and Ross treasure. In 1997 they were named Family of the Year for Special Olympics Pennsylvania. In 2007 they were inducted into the Pennsylvania Hall of Fame. She was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Mount Wolf.

She is survived by her daughter, Kim Baker of York; her son, Todd Raffensperger, and wife Stephanie of York her brother, Jay Stearns and wife Sierra of Church Hill, MD, and a nephew Kevin Stearns. Mrs. Raffensperger was preceded in death by her son-in-law, Jeff Baker.

A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, August 27, 2022, at St. John Lutheran Church, 28 North Third Street, Mount Wolf, PA. beginning at 11:00 AM. Visitation will be from 10:00 to 11:00 AM Saturday at the church. Officiating at the service will be Pastor Michael Fisher. Arrangements have been entrusted to Diehl Funeral Home & Cremation Center of Mount Wolf.

Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider, Special Olympics of York County, P.O. Box 333, Dover, PA. 17315; York County SPCA, 3159 Susquehanna Trail North, York, PA. 17406 or St. John Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 718, Mount Wolf, PA. 17347.

To share memories of Mrs. Raffensperger, please visit www.diehlfuneralhome.com