Barbara Arbuthnot

2nd Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith.

Mrs. Barbara Jean (Erskine) Arbuthnot, of West Deer Township, went home to be with Jesus on May 26, 2021, following an extended illness.

Barbara was born on Oct. 25, 1940, in Bakerstown, and was the daughter of the late James and Edith Erskine. She was the ninth of 10 children.

Barbara was married to her beloved high school sweetheart Harry Arbuthnot Jr. for over 63 years. Barbara and Harry were blessed with four children, 13 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Barbara was a talented, creative and industrious woman, who along with her husband, Harry, ran Arbuthnot Apartments for 58 years. She had an amazing ability to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary, a house into a home and a recipe from average into a delicious, delightful and delectable treat. She invested her love and time in her children and grandchildren’s lives.

She volunteered for many Christian ministries always keeping eternity in mind. Barbara and Harry’s home was always a welcoming place because of Barbara’s warm heart, open door and an overflowing cookie jar, pie safe with six different varieties, and huge fudge selection.

Barbara is survived by her husband, Harry Arbuthnot; her daughters, Kimberly Arbuthnot (Frederick), Bonnie Harbison (Dan), and Elizabeth Keil (Phillip); a son, Todd Arbuthnot (Debra); her grandchildren, Meghan McNeilly, Colin McNeilly, Justine McNeilly-Magee, Rachel Mowrer, Christopher Mowrer, Brooklynn Drake-Gaus, Meredith Harbison-Torre, Isaac Harbison, Jessica Keil, Emily Keil-Summers, Kelly Jean Keil, Sydney Arbuthnot and Wyatt Arbuthnot; her sisters, Virginia Nicholson and Nancy Lowe; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by parents, James and Edith Erskine; her siblings, Charles Erskine, Louise Heberling, James Erskine, Dariell Erskine, Robert Erskine, Herman Erskine and Jack Erskine; her father-in-law, Harry Arbuthnot; her mother-in-law, Mary Arbuthnot; and her sister-in-law, Audrey Cavalencia.

ARBUTHNOT — Visitation for Barbara Jean (Erskine) Arbuthnot, who died Wednesday, May 26, 2021, will be held from 1 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 28, 2021, and from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Schellhaas Funeral Home, 5864 Heckert Road, Bakerstown.

Graveside services will follow visitation Saturday in Deer Creek United Presbyterian Church Cemetery.

A memorial service will be held following interment at 12:30 p.m. Saturday at New Life Christian Ministries, Saxonburg, with the Rev. Scott McCabe officiating.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Good Samaritan Hospice in Cabot.

Please visit www.schellhaasfh.com.