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On May 22, following a courageous, heartbreaking battle with Mesothelioma, Barbie Reed passed away at Delaware Hospice in Milford. She was surrounded by her closest family members. The daughter of Raymond F. and Barbara A. Ryan, Barbie was born in New Castle. She attended Holy Spirit Elementary School and was idolized by her younger sister Donna. In 1970, the Ryan family moved to Smyrna, where Barbie graduated Smyrna High School in 1975. A member of the Homecoming Court, friends would says she was pretty, vibrant, popular, fun-loving, and above all – sassy. A hard working gal, Barbie worked numerous jobs before settling into her lifelong career as an Insurance Agent. She worked for Pratt Insurance from 1976-1985, then spent the overwhelming majority of her career working for Richard Parsons Agency / Nationwide Insurance for almost 30 years. In 1985, she met the love of her life, Wayne Reed. On April 1st of this year, she celebrated her 25th wedding anniversary. She had two loving daughters and two adoring grandchildren, who were the light of her life. Her only sister Donna was her very best friend. Happy Hour, traveling, Black Friday at the outlets, entertaining family and friends, and antiquing were all things that brought Barbie great happiness. She had a love for real estate and had even started a second career in 2012 as a Real Estate Agent at Burns and Ellis in Dover. Barbie recently joined Kenton United Methodist Church and was a member of the Holly's Club for over 20 years. She loved bargain shopping at TJ Maxx, making Honey-Do Lists, dining out, planting flowers in her yard, and collecting mermaids. Barbie also enjoyed sun tanning and socializing and was a VIP at the 501 Club in Dewey Beach. She was a woman of routine, starting each day with a cup of coffee on her back deck and often ending each night with pretzels, cheese, and Family Feud on the TV. She kept an immaculately clean home and lovingly bossed all of her family and friends. Barbie was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband, Wayne Reed, of Smyrna; her daughters and son-in-law, Amy and Brian Rhodes, of Fort Mill, S.C. and Courtney Reed, of Smyrna; her grandchildren, Caroline and Jackson Rhodes of Fort Mill, S.C.; her mother-in-law, Marie Reed, of Smyrna; her sister and brother-in-law, Donna and Bobby Virdin of Smyrna; her brothers and sisters-in-law and spouses, Michael and Jan Reed and Dave and Robin Bruner, all of Smyrna and Dave and Kathy Reed, of Middletown. She will also be dearly missed by a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends. She is also survived by her dog, Lulu |
