Barbara Page VerBrycke, 96, of Annapolis

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Barbara Page VerBrycke, 96, a native Washingtonian, passed away peacefully at her home on May 7, 2015. She attended George Washington University, where she met her husband, Capt. J. Russell VerBrycke III. He died in March 2012.

A resident of Annapolis, MD since 1982 and a summer resident of Sherwood Forest, MD until 1981, she lived in San Francisco from 1942 to 1945 during the war years while her husband was assigned to various ships of the Seventh (Pacific) Fleet. During this time she was employed in the office of the Commandant Twelfth Naval District.

As a Navy wife, Mrs. VerBrycke accompanied her husband to military posts in Naples, Italy, the Pentagon and Norfolk VA. In addition to her volunteer work with the Red Cross et al. during this time, she was a gracious hostess who entertained frequently at the family homes and was featured in the local Norfolk newspaper for her culinary skills. She and her husband organized the ball celebrating the 10th anniversary of the NATO Naval Headquarters in Norfolk in 1962. This headquarters was the only international military headquarters ever set up in peacetime on this continent.

The family relocated from Virginia Beach to Bethesda MD in 1963 and remained there until she and her husband purchased their lovely waterfront home on the Severn River in Annapolis in 1982 shortly before his retirement from the Federal Trade Commission.

Mrs. VerBrycke was associated with a number of organizations: Chi Omega Sorority, St. Margaret’s Guild of St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church of Bethesda, Red Cross Volunteers of Bethesda Naval Hospital, Pan Hellenic Club of Annapolis, American Antiques Art Association of Annapolis, and the International Club of Annapolis. She was a member of the Bottony Cross Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution in Washington DC where she was a docent at the DAR Museum. After moving to Annapolis she was affiliated with the Anne Arundel Chapter. She belonged to the U.S. Naval Academy Wives Club, Naval Academy Garden Club, and was a member of the Society of Mayflower Descendents and Dames of the Loyal Legion of the United States.

She was a proficient bridge player, accomplished chef, skilled seamstress, prolific reader with wide-ranging interests, and, most importantly, a devoted and loving wife and mother. Gardening was also a favorite pastime and the flower beds lining the long driveway to the home were always the subject of admiration. She also enjoyed genealogy research and collecting antiques.

Survivors include her daughter, Pamela P. Verbrycke of Bethesda, MD; her son, Capt. John R. VerBrycke IV, USNR Retired of Annapolis; four grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.

At Mrs. VerBrycke’s request no service will be held. She will be buried alongside her husband at Arlington National Cemetery. Donations may be made in her memory to the Salvation Army, Disabled American Veterans, ASPCA, or Guiding Eyes for the Blind.

»Information from the George P. Kalas Funeral Home website.