Born on March 13, 1926, in Montclair, New Jersey, and spending her earliest childhood years in East Greenwich, Rhode Island, she was the daughter of the late A. Ford and Edith Pendreigh Hinrichs. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Henry Moriarty, her daughter, Penny Work, and her sister, Betty Barker.                                           

 

Growing up in Washington D.C. near the Washington Cathedral, which is perched atop the highest point of the city, Barbara believed that her whole life’s outlook was traced by a path from the National Cathedral to the Capitol, an outlook grounded in the teachings of the Cathedral and its schools and the ideals of democratic government. Her Washington experience was framed by her parents’ involvement in the FDR administration where her father headed up the Bureau of Labor Statistics, leading to Barbara’s own interest in economics which became her primary focus at Vassar College and subsequent work for The Kiplinger Letter and the Federal Reserve Board.

 

Barbara’s favorite saying was that “the past is prologue.” She felt fortunate to be educated by her parents in the paths of goodness, kindness and beauty, and shaped by her parents’ beliefs. Barbara believed that our futures are shaped by those who have taught us. Her hope for each of us was to recognize who we are, what is most important to us, and how to find a sense of belonging in this vast world. She devoted her married life to instilling these values in her family.

 

Her guiding principles are well reflected in the lives of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren who loved her spirited nature, spontaneity and intelligence, her whimsey, strength and fierce love of family, her lovely home and beautiful property, her excellent coaching in checkers, parcheesi and puzzles, her tea parties and life lessons.

 

Hers was a life of strength, optimism and joy. We will remember her with deep love and gratitude for all she was and shared with us.

 

Barbara is survived by her sister Carol Scripps of Williamston, Michigan; and her children, Peter Moriarty (Christy) of Orange, Virginia; Cynthia Moriarty of Bloomington, Indiana; Stephen Moriarty (Deborah) of Port Angeles, Washington; and Andrew Moriarty of Orange, Virginia.

 

Her grandchildren are Kelly Steele (Jon) and Harlan Work (Sarah); Ford (Grace), Robin, Lily and Colton Moriarty; Ben (Frankie), Claire and Daniel Frohman; Louise, Jack (Erin), Katie and Lissie Moriarty.

 

Her great grandchildren are Emily and Charlie Steele; Ailith, Viola, Eowyn and Penny Work; Noa and Ori Frohman; and Elsie and Liam Moriarty.

A celebration of life will be held at Emmanuel Church in Rapidan, Virginia, on June 7 at Noon. In lieu of flowers the family suggests that donations be made to The Montpelier Foundation (James Madison’s Montpelier) www.montpelier.org or Grymes Memorial School www.grymesschool.org.