WILLIAMSBURG — Barbara K. Converse, a longtime resident of Williamsburg, passed away Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband and best friend, Henry B. Converse; parents, Steve J. Ordich and Kathryn Ordich Masley; brother, John F. Ordich; and sister, Mary M. Ordich.
She worked for the Department of the Navy for 22 years as a senior analyst in planning, programming and budgeting. She served in the Office of Naval Material, the Executive Office of the Secretary of the Navy, Office of the Comptroller of the Navy Pentagon and the Naval Sea Systems Command. She was a life member of the National Association of Military Comptrollers.
Upon retiring to Williamsburg with her husband, she became a self-schooled watercolor artist. She was an active member of the Williamsburg Contemporary Art Center, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond, Muscarelle Museum of Art at the College of William & Mary and several other local art groups. She enjoyed being with family and friends, educational lectures/trips, theatre, arts and crafts, reading and baking. She especially loved dogs, being an adopted aunt to any dog that crossed her path.
She is survived by her brother, Steve C. Ordich (Rita); sister, Anne M. Humphrey; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Barbara requested that there be no formal funeral or memorial. She will be interred with her husband at the U.S. Naval Academy Columbarium, Annapolis, Maryland, and at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church Memorial Garden, Williamsburg.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Heritage Humane Society of Williamsburg, 430 Waller Mill Road, Williamsburg, VA 23185; St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, 1333 Jamestown Road, Williamsburg, VA 23185; or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Barbara would like to thank the many friends and organizations who helped her.
Share online condolences with the family at Bucktrout of Williamsburg Funeral Service.
