Barbara Jean Allen Grambow

Barbara Jean Allen Grambow passed away peacefully on March 17, 2026. Devoted to her family, she was a world traveler who loved dark chocolate, the color blue and animals.

Born on July 3, 1935, she grew up in Pleasantville NJ and was a proud graduate of Cornell University. While there, she met the love of her life, a veterinary student named Richard Grambow (predeceased) whom she was married to for 65 years. Dick and Barbara made their home in Syracuse NY, living over Fairmount Animal Hospital and raising three daughters. 

Barbara was a constant support to her family and she organized enriching family vacations. She and Dick travelled far and wide internationally, yet one of her favorite spots was Walt Disney World where she loved to ride Splash Mountain and eat a dark chocolate Mickey-Ears ice cream bar.

She was active as a hospital volunteer, delivered Meals on Wheels and was always helping others by making meals, sending cards and lending a helping hand. She was an active member of P.E.O., a philanthropic organization supporting women’s education. With her “can-do” attitude she took obstacles in stride and lived a life full of fun and adventure. 

An avid skier and golfer, Barbara also closely followed college hoops and enjoyed the Olympics. She loved playing family games and was known as The Yahtzee Queen after her all-time high score of 751 points in one game (5 Yahtzees)! She loved all animals with a special fondness for elephants, polar bears, whales, sheep and bunny rabbits.

After living in Skaneateles NY, then Loveland OH, the Grambows moved to Croasdaile Village in Durham, NC in 2010, where Barbara lived the last few years in the Orchard Assisted Living community. Her positive outlook, wry sense of humor and genuine smile will be dearly missed.

She is survived by her three daughters and sons-in-law Debbie and John Kotecki, Bonnie and Scott Campbell, Nancy and Tim Brown, grandchildren James (Emily) Kotecki, Michael (Alexandra Greco) Kotecki, Thomas Brown, Elizabeth (Jacob) Weston and great-grandchildren Max and Maya Kotecki. A memorial celebration will be held on Saturday March 21, 2026 at 2pm in the Croasdaile Village Chapel with burial in Ithaca, NY at a later date. Messages of condolence can be left with the Hall-Wynne Funeral home in Durham, NC (www.hallwynne.com). Donations can be made to the Grambow Family Scholarship in the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine (Checks to Cornell University Box 37332 Boone, IA 50037-0334 with “Grambow Family Scholarship” noted or via online link here)