Barbara D Effinger, July 17, 1937 — February 15, 2019

Barbara Diehl Effinger, a dedicated mother and grandmother, career nurse, passionate artist, tireless decorator, and committed friend, passed away peacefully in her home on February 15 due to complications of cancer. She was 81 and lived in Yorkleigh since 1971. Mrs. Effinger was the daughter of August Edward Diehl and Ann Irene Diehl (nee Abbott) is survived by her sons Brian Effinger and his wife Kathryn of Grosse Pointe, MI (Kendall, Sam, Annie) and Kirk Effinger and his wife Courtney of Bloomfield Hills, MI (Travis, Gus, Taylor).

She is also survived by her brother, Robert Diehl and his wife Carol of Florida and their children, Rob Diehl of Towson, Melissa Diehl Black of Roland Park, and Paige Diehl McFadden of Silver Spring. Born Barbara Diehl in Boston, at nine her family moved to Towson where she attended Immaculate Conception School and Notre Dame Preparatory School. After attending the College of Notre Dame of Maryland, she moved on to her career as a nurse at Mercy Hospital.

As a nurse, Mrs. Effinger graced a variety of care communities with her medical and personal skills. From her start at Mercy Hospital, to Villa Julie, Stella Maris, and finishing her career at Maryvale Preparatory School, Mrs. Effinger brought deep medical knowledge that she blended with genuine care and interpersonal skills. She always took extra time to hear or share a story and got to know everyone with whom she came into contact, professionally and personally.

Mrs. Effinger’s life was also marked by her creative spirit. She had an eye for the classic and eclectic and honed her own artistic talent – first informally and later through completing her BFA when she returned to the College of Notre Dame in the 1980s. She enjoyed re-envisioning the rooms in her home and shared that talent as she and a friend started a wallpapering business in the 1970’s called “The Paper People”.

She had noted that their stories from that job could have fueled a sitcom for several seasons. No matter the season, Mrs. Effinger enjoyed spending time at the beach. She particularly enjoyed Cape Cod (MA), Stone Harbor (NJ), and Bethany Beach (DE).

Her love for the beach is captured in many of her paintings. A memorial service will be held at St. Pius X Church at 11:00 am on June 22, 2019. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Catholic Charities Head Start of Baltimore or the American Cancer Society.

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