Barbara Rayner

Barbara Ann Schneider Rayner, “Babs” passed away peacefully of natural causes on Friday, July 25, just two weeks shy of her 95th birthday.

Born on August 7, 1930, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Babs spent her early childhood in Pittsburgh and Camden, New Jersey, before moving to Washington, D.C. in 1942. A gifted student, she attended both Holy Trinity High School (Class of 1948) and Immaculata Junior College (Class of 1950), on scholarships.

It was during her senior year at Holy Trinity that she met the love of her life, William “Bill” Rayner, on a blind date at a Georgetown University dance. They married in June 1950, following her graduation from Immaculata and his from the Georgetown School of Foreign Service. Both Babs and Bill began their careers at the CIA, with Babs working while Bill also attended Georgetown Law School at night.

In 1955, the couple settled in the Battery Park neighborhood of Bethesda, Maryland, where they raised their five children. Babs was deeply engaged in her community and was an early and dedicated advocate for her children’s education, especially in an era before dyslexia and other learning challenges were widely understood or supported.

The family moved to England in 1969, where Babs took every opportunity to immerse her children in British culture and history through countless weekend excursions. Upon returning to the U.S., they lived in Potomac, Maryland (1970–1973) before relocating to Westport, Connecticut.

After Bill’s death in 1976, Babs returned to Bethesda, where she charted a new path. She went back to school and became a paralegal, going on to have a successful second career with several Washington, D.C. law firms.

In retirement, Babs enjoyed travelling extensively with her sister Alyce, exploring Europe, Greece, Egypt, China, New Zealand, and beyond. But her most cherished adventures were the trips to London she took with each of her grandchildren, Jacob and Izzy.

Babs is survived by her children Brenda, Brian (Wendy), Patrick (Victoria Thomas), and Edward, as well as her grandchildren Jacob and Izzy. She was predeceased by her husband Bill and her eldest son, Ward.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, August 20 at 4:30 pm at the River Road Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 6301 River Road, Bethesda, MD 20817. Inurnment with her beloved husband, Bill, at the Columbarium, Arlington National Cemetery will take place at a later date in a private family ceremony.