Barbara Ann Hesterly

Barbara Ann (Mazzia) Hesterly, of Aberdeen, Maryland, died at the age of 86 on November 20, 2016, at Citizen's Care Center in Havre de Grace, MD. She was born in Hot Springs, Arkansas, on March 18, 1930, to Ferdinand J. Mazzia and Mary Ellen Cochran Mazzia. She was a graduate of St. John's School in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and Hot Springs High School. Babs was the beloved wife and best friend for more than 65 years of John H. Hesterly. They met in college where she also lettered in tennis, swimming and cheerleading, graduated from Henderson State University in Arkansas in 1951, were married on June 7, 1951, embarked on an Army career which took them to Japan, Europe (Holland) and many assignments in the United States. They were only apart when her husband was in Korea and Vietnam. In 1956, her husband was selected to attend the University of Illinois for graduate school for a master's degree prior to becoming the first non-academy graduate to teach in the Department of Mechanics at the United States Military Academy at West Point. This assignment was the most wonderful and inspirational three years of their lives. In 2002, they were honored by selection as members of The Friends of West Point in recognition of their demonstrated patriotism, support of the Armed Forces and regard for West Point. While at West Point, Mrs. Hesterly was the runner-up as the ladies' tennis champion for two years. Following West Point, they lived in Holland for three years on a military assignment associated with NATO and developed a love of this country and its people that lasted forever. They also learned to love all of Europe and traveled there visiting all of the countries in Western Europe and others including many countries originally behind the Iron Curtain including Russia, Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic and Slovakia. In retirement, they also traveled to Japan, Hong Kong, Thailand and Singapore. They crossed the Atlantic Ocean twenty-two times in their travels and the Pacific Ocean several times, both by sea and air travel. They traveled to the Caribbean many times to different islands. Babs and John always felt that these experiences and friendships gave them a more balanced viewpoint of world affairs. Following retirement from the Army, they remained in Aberdeen, Maryland, and devoted many years to St. Patrick Church in Havre de Grace, MD, where they were Eucharistic Ministers, decorators and any task that needed to be done. They were honored as Harford County's Most Beautiful People and in 2007 as Henderson State University Distinguished Alumni. They have an endowed educational scholarship at their college alma mater. Survivors include her devoted husband, John, and her sister-in-law, Laura Mazzia, of Hot Springs, Arkansas. Known with great affection as Babs or Auntie Babo, she is also survived by eleven close nephews and nieces, nineteen great nephews and nieces and ten great-grand nephews and nieces, extended family, friends, so many wonderful schoolmates, college chums, Army friends and close associates in Maryland. She encouraged all children to pursue education to the maximum. Babs will be dearly missed by all who have ever known her as a truly special person. A memorial service will be held at St. Joan of Arc Church in Aberdeen at 10 AM on December 1, 2016. She will be buried in Calvary Cemetery in Hot Springs, Arkansas, next to her mother, close to her beloved father and brother and eventually by her husband. Funeral Home: Tarring-Cargo Funeral Home 333 South Parke Street Aberdeen, MD US 21001