Barbara Lee Driese of Cedar Park, Texas, passed away on May 6, 2024 at the age of 90. For the last 10 years, she kept her breast cancer at bay, but with a weakened immune system, succumbed to complications from Covid.

Barbara was born on February 19, 1934 in Enterprise, Alabama, to parents Oscar and Georgia McCall. She attended William and Mary College in Williamsburg, Virginia, and earned a degree in English. At William and Mary, Barbara was a member of the Chi Omega Sorority and remained close with many of her Sorority sisters after graduation. She married the late Edward C. Driese in 1957 and began a career as an English teacher in Northern Virginia, but became a homemaker upon the birth of her first son in 1959. Barb and Ed raised two sons and two daughters in the Washington, D.C., area. They enjoyed antiquing, gardening, and visiting with friends and family. Barbara also loved animals and enjoyed the company of many cats (and a few dogs) over her long life.

In retirement, Barbara was an avid reader and a Master Gardener in the Gloucester, Virginia, area. She enjoyed helping with charitable events as a member of the Ware River Circle of The King’s Daughters, a non-profit volunteer interdenominational Christian service organization. Additionally, she attended many educational workshops and speaking events for organizations like the Virginia Institute of Marine Science. On any day, Barbara made time to sip tea and soak in the view of the Ware River and Mobjack Bay from her porch with a cat at her feet. She opened the pool every summer season for the neighborhood dogs to swim in more than she did herself. Watching osprey return to nest every year, enjoying family crab feasts, and keeping a journal of boats that anchored in front of her house for the weekends in the cove were among her favorite summer activities.

Barbara is survived by her children: Kenneth Driese 4/25/59, Kimberly Rolloff 4/28/62, Clark Driese 4/25/65, and Emily Rullan 1/25/72, and grandchildren: Manny Rullan 1/31/01, Bei Driese, 6/25/01, Ruess Rolloff 2/15/02, Jesse Driese 3/17/03, and Sofia Rullan 6/28/05.

A private celebration of her life will be held at a time yet to be determined. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Barbara’s name to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure organization for breast cancer research at www.komen.org.