Barbara Louise Herkert

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Barbara Louise (Decker) Herkert on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at the age of 88. She was surrounded by her loved ones, present and in spirit, during her final moments at Kline Hospice House in Mount Airy, Md.

Barbara was born on February 17, 1936, in Cumberland, Md., to Howard and Pauline (Berkenbaugh) Decker. She grew up in the city of her birth, where she attended St. Mary Catholic School and Church. She earned a college scholarship but upon graduation from high school decided to accept a position at the National Security Agency (NSA) in Fort Meade, Md. She moved to Washington, D.C., and while employed at NSA, she met her future husband, John (Jack) Valentine Herkert.

A loving wife and mother of five who devoted her life to caring for her family and home, Barbara is remembered for her strong Catholic faith, generosity, strength and legendary sense of humor. She was an avid fan of the Baltimore Orioles and the Baltimore Ravens. A talented pianist and organist, Barbara enjoyed a variety of music. She liked working on crossword puzzles and never ceased to impress her family with her intellect, whether watching the game show Jeopardy! or playing Trivial Pursuit. Time spent with Barbara was gloriously joyful. Her malaprops and blown punch lines frequently gave her family (and her) fits of laughter. She enjoyed good food and cooking for those she loved.

A beloved “Mom” and “Nanny,” she is survived by her brother, Joseph Decker; her five children: Julia Herkert, Kathie Hagen, Lisa Trapani, Diane Stephan and John Herkert; her nine grandchildren: Lauren Fiore, Jillian Pizza, Kirsten Pizza, Wendy Barker, Anthony Hagen, Kate Trapani, Sophie Trapani, Nicholas Stephan and Maxwell Stephan; and several great-grandchildren. Barbara was predeceased by her husband, Jack, who died in 1983, and her sisters, Helen Ridgeway and Judy Hartig.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 118 East 2nd Street, Frederick, MD 21701 on Friday January 17, 2025 at 11am. A private burial service will take place at Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery at a later date. Those who wish to honor Barbara may donate to Frederick Health Hospice, 1 Frederick Health Way, Frederick, MD 21701 or Catholic Charities, 2300B Dulaney Valley Rd Timonium, MD 21093 in her memory.

May her soul find peace in God’s eternal embrace.