Passed away peacefully on April 27, 2019 surrounded by her children. Barbara was born on 5/22/31 in Cincinnati, OH, the daughter of the late Howard Paul Van Pelt and Marjorie (Ferris) Van Pelt. Barbara married Donald Derrick in 1950 and they enjoyed 68 years together. She is survived by her husband Donald Derrick, son and daughter-in-law Kimball and Leslie Derrick, daughter Cynthia Wengert, daughter and son-in-law Jennifer and Shane Dobbs; sister and brother-in-law Janice and Avery Bennett, sister-in-law Carol Warman; grandson Jacob Wengert; step grandchildren Zach Dobbs, Asian Loori, Ben Sukys and Melissa Burton; and seven step great-grandchildren. Barbara grew up in Blue Ash, Ohio and graduated from Sycamore High School. She and her husband moved to a 50-acre apple farm (in Blanchester, OH) in 1961 where she managed the apple sales each Fall. As a member of Grace United Methodist church in Blanchester, she enjoyed teaching 3rd and 4th grade Sunday School classes for 25 years, also leading music in Vacation Bible School. Barbara achieved several "firsts". She taught at the 1st Friends Nursery School in Wilmington, Ohio, organized the 1st Womens Retreat for Grace UMC, set up the 1st summer reading program at Putman Elementary School, and was the 1st woman appointed to the Clinton County Rural Zoning Board of Appeals. In 1969 Barbara organized Lilliput Day Care Center, the 1st Day Care Center in Clinton County (the 13th in the state of Ohio) which operated as a non-profit. As a volunteer, she helped with daily activities and/or served on the Board of Directors for 37 years. For this work, in March 2008 Barbara received the honor of being named an Outstanding Woman of Clinton County. Barbara and her husband sponsored and welcomed into their home 2 exchange students from Japan and South Africa for 3-6 months each. They also sponsored and opened their home to a refugee family from Cambodia who then became productive American citizens. In her fifties, Barbara went to Chatfield College in St. Martin, Ohio where she received an Associates degree in Arts. A writer of poetry and free verse since she was a young girl, Barbara continued to write well into her 80s. She published and sold three books of her poetry and won several poetry contests. Barbara was a member of the Jr. Bridge Club, the 20th Century Club, the Conversation Club and the Creative Hearts Poetry Club. Barbara dedicated her life to the positive development and intellectual growth of children and young people. She is a well-remembered and loved person in her community and surrounding areas. Friends and family will be received from 6-8pm on Friday, May 3, 2019 at Tufts Schildmeyer Funeral Home, 120 W. Main St, Blanchester, Ohio. The funeral service will be held at 10am on Saturday, May 4, 2019 at the funeral home, where friends will be received from 9am until the time of the service. Internment will be held at Sugar Grove Cemetery, Wilmington, Ohio following the funeral service. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Clarksville United Methodist church. Funeral Home: Tufts Schildmeyer Family Funeral Home & Cremation Center - Blanchester 120 W. Main St. Blanchester, OH US 45107