Barbara M. Boland

Barbara Anne Miller Boland of Clarks Green, 89, died peacefully at home on January 11, surrounded by her children and hand-in-hand with her husband of 66 years, Dr. Stanley Walter Boland Jr. 

Born on December 20, 1935 to Robert and Cathleen Cawley Miller (owners of Dunmore’s Knoepfel and Miller Pharmacy), Barbara attended Dunmore High School and the University of Maryland, where she studied microbiology. After graduating from college in 1957, Barbara worked for Bristol Labs in Syracuse, NY, where she helped to develop an antibiotic that would, one day, save her son’s life. 

Barbara and Stanley were high school sweethearts who married in 1958, moving to Ottawa while Stanley completed medical school there. The first two of their children were born in Canada; Stanley’s continuing education would then take the young family to Allentown and Philadelphia. The Bolands settled in Clarks Green in 1965, but Stanley was called to serve in the US Army Corps in 1968, moving the growing family to Augusta GA for two years before returning to their home in Northeastern PA. Six more children would join the family during those happy years.

Despite the extraordinary demands of raising eight children, Barbara created a home for her family that was unfailingly loving and in which everyone’s accomplishments were celebrated. 

A consummate hostess and accomplished, self-taught cook, Barbara made the most of life’s occasions – hosting joyful holiday celebrations for extended family and stylish parties for friends and neighbors, not to mention a never-ending parade of homemade breakfasts, lunches and dinners for her husband and kids. There was always room at the table for a friend – and there are many people around the country who count her as a second mom.

Music was a constant presence in Barbara’s life. An exceptional pianist, she was equally comfortable accompanying showtune sing-alongs around her treasured grand piano or improvising, entirely by ear, gorgeous variations on her and Stanley’s favorite standards. She could play any song in any key, after hearing it once – a truly once in a generation gift. Barbara loved attending the theater, symphony and concerts in addition to being a painter and seamstress herself, and she cultivated that love of the arts in her family. 

Barbara was a deeply faithful Catholic and was instrumental in the founding of the Church of St. Gregory in Clarks Green in 1974. She was a long-time member of the Parish Council and shared her musical talent with the Church as its organist for many years. Barbara especially enjoyed traveling to Italy with the Parish several times – just a few of the many trips she and Stanley treasured together. Their love story over more than 70 years is an inspiration to all who know them, as are the many life-long friendships that Barbara enjoyed.

Barbara delighted in spending time with her children and grandchildren and her pride in their accomplishments was boundless. She was a truly extraordinary role-model – a brilliant leader and a rare scientist/artist with a great sense of humor, a seemingly endless supply of energy, and a generous, loving spirit. She is irreplaceable.

Barbara was pre-deceased by her parents and by three siblings: Eleanor Leitinger, Dr. Robert Miller and Cathleen Jaeger. 

In addition to her husband, Barbara is survived by her eight children: Dr. Mary Jennifer Boland Frattali, Mark Boland (Renita Rathinam Boland), Barbara O’Brien Boland, Julie Donnelly (Dan Long), Dr. Thomas Boland (Renee Kerestes Boland), David Boland (Patrick Galbraith), Maggie Boland (John Hance), and Dr. Michael Boland (Maureen Connor Boland); 13 grandchildren: Carrie Frattali, Nina Frattali, Emily Potter, Jack Boland, Audrey Wycech, Maggie Scheiman, JJ Boland, Chris Boland, Michael Boland, Sean Boland, Willa Boland Hance, Mia Boland and Sophia Boland; five great-grandchildren with two on the way; numerous nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be Wednesday, January 15 at 10:00am at the Church of St. Gregory, 330 North Abington Road, Clarks Green, with a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated. Interment will be at Hickory Grove Cemetery. Friends and family may call at Jennings-Calvey Funeral Home on Tuesday, January 14 from 4:00 to 7:00pm. Those who are not able to attend the Mass in person can join the celebration on Wednesday morning by following this link: https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTczNjc3NjkyNzE1MjI2Mzgmb25lcm9vbS1hZG1pbiZjb3B5X2xpbms=

The family asks that donations be made in Barbara’s name to the Church of St. Gregory or to St. Joseph’s Center, 2010 Adams Avenue, Scranton, PA 18509 in lieu of flowers.