Barbara E. Hoess

HOESS Barbara E., age 74, on Dec. 13th, 2014. She was a long-time resident of Flourtown, PA. Beloved sister of Ronald and dear sister-in-law of Katy; adored aunt of Christopher and Michael (Christine) Hoess. Predeceased by parents Herman and Barbara Hoess. Survived by numerous cousins in Germany, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the US. She graduated from Beaver College, where she majored in Spanish. Fluent in German and Spanish, she was the first recipient of the Vira I. Heinz Scholarship at Beaver, which allowed her to study at the Universities of Frankfurt and Valencia in the summer of 1961. After graduation, she began a 35-year career teaching both languages at Springfield High School, during which she also obtained a master's degree in Spanish from the University of Pennsylvania. An enthusiastic teacher, she took great pride in her students, many of whom were awarded scholarships for study in Germany. She continued to study abroad during her career, receiving grants from the Rockefeller Foundation and the Goethe Institute, among others, and visited European relatives. In her free time, she enjoyed making miniatures and gardening. After her retirement, she volunteered at the Morris Arboretum. Funeral Service will held on Wednesday at 11AM at the John F. Murray Funeral Home 1220 Bethlehem Pike Flourtown, PA 19031. Relatives and friends are invited to call from 10-11AM at the funeral home. Interment will be private.