Barbara Ann Wambach

Farmington "Pumpkin Hook"

On March 16th, our family lost its guiding light when Barbara Ann "Dorman" Wambach passed away with Don, her husband of 56 years, at her side.

Barbara was born on June 9, 1942 in Harrisburg, PA to Lillian Turik and 1st Lt Daniel F. Dorman. The family moved around the U.S., traveling through a dozen states and living on military bases in Texas and Baltimore, until Barbara’s dad was killed in action in Oct. 1944. A few years later her mother remarried, and the family spent a year and a half in Hawaii while her stepfather was stationed in Oahu. After graduating from St. Joseph High School in Williamsport, PA, Barbara went on to earn a degree in education from Penn State University, which she completed in three years. She found a teaching job in Flemington, NJ, and later in Henrietta, NY, where she met her husband Donald Wambach. Barbara and Don were married exactly a year to the day they met, and settled in Spencerport, NY. They bought their first house in LeRoy, NY, and lived there until after retirement when they moved to Farmington to be closer to family.

Barbara had many careers she enjoyed. She was an elementary school teacher, piano teacher, seamstress, proprietor of a craft shop/art gallery, paralegal, and director of a daycare. She and Don were blessed with two children of their own, and later on she was “tickled pink” to welcome six grandchildren. She was known for her handmade quilts and love of reading, and one would rarely find her without a needlework project or novel in her hands, while planning her next hand-sewn gift or DIY home and garden project. Barbara also relished the companionship of animals, including many beloved cats and dogs, and the chickens, goats, ducks and geese at her family’s backyard hobby farm in LeRoy.

She loved learning about and promoting understanding of other cultures and countries. In the 1980s, Barbara was a YFU representative, and her family hosted exchange students from Spain, Japan, Norway, and Germany. Memorable trips of her own include visiting her father’s grave at the Netherlands American Military Cemetery in Margraten; Barbara and Don’s honeymoon road trip from New York to the west coast and back; weekend camping trips to Hamlin Beach with her young family; and after retirement, cruises with Don to Hawaii and Alaska, and renting a house for the entire 12-member family for her and Don’s 50th and 55th wedding anniversaries.

Barbara leaves behind her devoted husband of 56 years, Donald Wambach; beloved children Jennifer (Michael) Tranchita and Scott (Catherine) Wambach, and six grandchildren; a sister, Janice Letteer of Harrisburg, PA; an uncle, Jack Turik of Ohio; a cousin, Mike (Nancy) Dorman of Williamsport, PA; and many cherished nieces and nephews.

A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at 4 pm at the Murphy Funeral & Cremation Chapel, 1040 State Route 31, Macedon, NY 14502. In memory of Barbara, the family welcomes memorial donations to your favorite charity in lieu of flowers.