Barbara Ausel
May 1, 1933 ~ January 4, 2018
Born in: Oil City, Pennsylvania
Barbara Ausel's light went out on January 4th, 2018 at the young age of 84. "My Candle burns at both ends: It will not last the night: But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends- It gives a lovely light" was a poem she held tightly to in her final days as she realized her time was near. Barbara was born May 1, 1933, to the late Eleanora Dayton Munson and Michael D. Scurry. Barbara graduated from Oil City High School. During her freshmen year, she saw James F. Ausel and told her friends she was going to marry him someday; and she did on December 5, 1953. They were married for 56 years before he passed away. During that time they loving raised four children in their home on Coal City Road in Rockland. They were loving parents who cared deeply for their family. Barbara was awarded a scholarship to attend Clarion University from the State Council for the Blind. She received her teaching degree and went on to teach high school English at AC Valley for 27 years. Barbara loved to read and go fishing. She found great joy in making beautiful handmade quilts for her family and friends. She was an avid member of the quilting guild. She also enjoyed attending water aerobics classes at the YMCA. Barbara had a very special sense of humor and enjoyed people. She welcomed all into her home with open arms and fed them all. She had a special place in her heart for animals. In death Barbara is at last reunited with her husband, James; her children, Barbara "Boo" Ausel, and Daniel Ausel; her grandchildren, Jessica Garris and Matthew Neal; her mother, grandmother and many other friends and loved ones. Barbara will be forever remembered and missed by her family, Vandy and Mike Shields, Heidi and David Bowen, Jaime and Andrew Riddle, Jacob Bowen, Moriah Bowen, Zane and Gavin Hopkins, James Ausel, Quinn Riddle and her brother, John Butts, along with his family Heather and Holly Butts, Jayden Wagner; her adopted family, Carol Nelms, Theresa Sloss, Dan Clawson, Kurt Campbell, Judy Butts; her AA family; and all her friends she met along the way. A memorial service will be held at a later date at the family's convenience. Memorial Contributions are asked to be sent to The Humane Society 286 S. Main Street, Seneca PA 16346 in Barbara's name. Friends and Family are invited to visit www.gardinierfuneralhome.com to send cards and share condolences with the family.
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Mrs. Ausel was a wonderful teacher and she worked so hard to keep all of the rascals in the class of ’86 under control. My condolences to her family.
Fond Memories of Mrs Ausel especially vivid for me is Julius Caesar and all I learned from her about him in Class. I always found her presence comforting and conducive to learning. Prayers for the Family as they mourn the loss of a beloved family member.
She was a sweet lady . I had her in school in the ’70’s . May she Rest In Peace
I was in Mrs. Ausel’s English class during the ‘80-‘81 school year at A-CV. I loved her style, her energy, and her sense of humor. She was a great teacher and I lenjoyed her class very much. My condolences to her family and friends.
—Brenda Gates Sloan
Such a wonderful English Teacher. A lovely lady also. God bless her for teaching all those years.She will be missed by everyone she touched in life.
I didn’t have Mrs. Ausel for a teacher but I do remember her from going to school at A-CV. She loved being a jokester and you could tell she loved people of all ages. My prayers and condolences going out to her family and friends…I hope that the Lord gives them comfort during this time.
Mrs. Ausel was the best English teacher I ever had, she had such a way of engaging the class while making it fun to learn. I also want to add that she was a great friend to my mother and her fellow teacher Betty Lipko. Deepest condolences to her family and friends, may your memories keep her in your hearts.
She was a favorite of mine. Funny and made learning fun. My condolences to the family.
Barb was a respected colleague and, more importantly, a true friend! She was a cheerleader, a confidant, and a great source for some of my favorite jokes! And what a laugh! Our time together carpooling to AC Valley was a treat (she would navigate NOT drive!). God Bless Barb, Jim, and the family. My deepest sympathy! John N. Colantonio, PhD.
Mrs. Ausel was an awesome teacher, person and school newspaper adviser. She probably didn’t know how much I thought of her and how much I appreciated her as my teacher. She definitely was a gem and someone I recall with great fondness. Kay Stephens, Class of 1973, editor of The Valley Viewer
I extend my sympathies to Barb’s family and friends. We were just remembering her from our childhood days when she babysat us once in a while. I also babysat and spent some fun time on their farm. She was an interesting lady. Prayers and love to those close to her.
I so enjoyed my contact with your mother/grandmother at the Franklin YMCA. We both shared spaces on the back bench in the lockerroom where we discussed family, good books, and new bathing suits. As she would buzz in with her roller suitcase in tow, the space became lighter and more jovial as she shared her quips! I will very much miss my interaction with her.
THOUGH WE HAVE NEVER MET, I FEEL LIKE I KNOW YOU SO WELL. I AM FRIENDS WITH HEIDI AND DAVID BOWEN, JACOB AND MARIAH BOWEN. THEY TALKED ABOUT YOU OFTEN , ENJOYING THEIR VISITS WITH YOU AND JUST SPENDING TIME WITH YOU !!! SOUNDS LIKE YOU WERE SUCH A KIND AND CARING PERSON, READY TO HELP OUT WHEN EVER YOU WERE NEEDED. I MISSED OUT ON THE PLEASURE OF GETTING TO KNOW YOU !!! LOVE AND PRAYERS GOR THE FAMILY. LOVE ” THE MACKS”
I was very sad to learn of Mrs. Ausel’s passing this morning, and I extend to her friends and family my most sincere condolences.
Like many who knew her, she was my teacher. I had moved to ACV from out of state in the Spring of 1993…just a few months before starting to take Mrs. Ausel’s English class in the Fall of 9th grade. I was already an avid reader and writer and, in my junior high hubris, came into her class thinking that this “elderly English teacher” wouldn’t be able to offer much to my knowledge of and appreciation for the subject. Sure enough, in the early part of that year Mrs. Ausel spent more time telling me to sit up pay attention, to keep myself occupied when I was done with my work, and (failing those) to march myself down to the office with a detention slip than she did telling me anything that I thought would make me come to value my time in the course. I was a little snot, she would suffer no fools. Thus, I remember vividly that Mrs. Ausel was by far my least favorite teacher after the first few weeks of school.
The irony has not been lost on me that I have now made a career out of teaching college students many of the same skills that I first developed in a class that I started out by hating. I do not remember an exact lesson plan or a particular conversation, but I remember that somewhere during the midpoint of my time in her class I began to have a very different understanding of Mrs. Ausel and what her teaching could offer. First and foremost, I came to appreciate her knowledge of her field and her wit and wisdom in deploying it; I discovered that she was an exceptionally smart teacher and that, contrary to my preconceptions, it was I that would have to prove myself to her. Moreover I learned, for perhaps the first time in my life, the social and personal value of engaging in practices of textual criticism. Mrs. Ausel taught me about how and why to meaningfully and interestingly evaluate texts both on their own merits and against one another (for their styles of writing, for their connectedness to history, for their ideological implications, etc.). I believe it was in her class that I found The Martian Chronicles and To Kill a Mockingbird and where I first read Emerson, Dickinson, Melville, and Dickens. She also guided me into the process of doing research, citing sources, and creating interesting research that was well written and well planned. (For example: I have occasionally recollected to others her stock answer for student questions about paper length…”The paper should be miniskirt length: long enough to cover the subject but short enough to be interesting!”) She was, in a word, brilliant.
I now look back on my time with Mrs. Ausel with warmth and appreciation, both for those things I valued when I left her class and, more often, for things that I learned in her class that I have only come to value in the years since. I often hope that some of the students who sit in my classes today were lucky enough to have had a teacher like Mrs. Ausel when they were in high school; I know too few of them probably did.
I have wonderful memories of her growing up. I went to school with her daughter, Vandy. I spent time with her family, sleepover’s, visits…etc… She always made me feel very welcome and like another one of her children. She was a very kindhearted woman, and one of my favorite people. Heartfelt condolences, thoughts and prayers for her, and her family, and everyone whose lives she touched. ~ Kim McMillen Thomas
I met Barb at the quilt guild. Always enjoyed having a conversation with her on the bus trips to Lancaster or D.C. to a quilt show. I so admired her amazing sense of style and am glad that I recently got the chance to tell her that. So sad that she is gone from this world. Sorry for your loss of this lovely lady. – Pam Bowersox
Heidi, David and family. You are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. – Fred & Carol Shoup
Hey Heidi,
I know your Mom wasn’t good but it’s still had to lose Mom.
In my heart, Jeff M.
I remember Mrs. Ausel from when I was younger at the Rockland Methodist Church. Even as a child I always looked at someones eyes because the eyes are a window to your soul. She was such a wonderful lady. Always caring and welcoming, and you could see the love in her heart. I’m sure you ‘kids’ don’t rember me, but I remeber you and I am truly sorry for the loss of your Mom. She will be in your heart forever. You have such great memories of her. Marilyn (Winger) Miller, Rockland, Pa.
Haven’t spent time with my cousin in several years. Remember funny times as we grew up. I was once a babysitter for Jim and Barb. Remarkable woman.
Heidi & Vandy…I was so sorry to read about your Mom! I remember many visits to your house in Rockland when we were kids. Your mom was always kind and full of life and love. Please send my condolences to your family and know that you all are remembered in my prayers.
So sorry for the loss of your mom . She has touched many of lives . With deepest sympathy Carol
So sorry to learn of Cousin Barb’s death. She was a unique, talented lady. In my earlier years, I spent quite a bit of time at her and Jim’s home. I remember her brother, Cousin John Butts, trying to ride a cow on one of our visits. As families do, we grew apart as we got older and our lives took separate paths. To the family, please accept my condolences.
Dear Heidi and Family,
We were sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. She will be missed by her many friends and especially one from the water aerobics class.
Ray and Toby Aikins
Heidi and Vanny and family.. Just wanted you to know I adored your mom and had such fun conversations with her. She was a special gem… And I cherished visiting with her…I will miss my friend.??
Vandy and family, I was so sorry to hear of your Mothers passing. I have great memories of her and her quilts. Prayers and Love to all. Cindy Beggs