Barbara Ann Munroe

Ms. Barbara Ann Munroe of Brooklyn, NY and McDonough, GA transitioned on Monday September 23, 2024 in McDonough, GA at her daughter’s home. She recently resided in Ft. Fort Lauderdale, FL over the past few years.

Barbara was born on March 24, 1952 to Felix and Gladys (Brown) Munroe in Kingston, Jamaica. Barbara was raised surrounded by family: six siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins and also grandparents out in “the country”.

Barbara came to the United States in 1971 after attending Durham Business College South Camp Rd. in Kingston. With brief stints in Early Childhood Education in Brooklyn and as a Nurse’s Aid at United Cerebral Palsy on Staten Island, she graduated from New York City Technical College, while simultaneously beginning her 33-year career at SUNY Downstate Medical Center. At SUNY Downstate, she primarily worked in the Chemistry Lab as a Clinical Laboratory Technologist. During her career she worked tirelessly in the Lab, with patients and also assisted with complex surgeries. Her skills in the Lab were legend and her impact on her co-workers elevated the level of care for all involved.

However, if you asked, she would say her greatest legacy were her children and grandchildren. A lifelong learner, she insisted that her children and their children embraced all forms of learning. Indeed, the academic achievements of her progeny are matched only by their artistic and athletic achievements. No matter if you called her mom, mommy, grandma, gogo or, my-my, when you were with her you were learning some kind of lesson. Whether in biology class, the poetry seminar or the tennis court, she was a fountain of knowledge and wisdom.

Barbara was also the unofficial family historian and grio. Her ability to remember and recount stories she was told - even when she was a small child - were a gift to her whole family. Despite a generally serious countenance, her ability to transform into these characters with voices, accents, an extensive vocabulary and facial expressions, not only held the listener’s attention, but transported them into the world of the story.

Finally, there was no better friend to have than Barbara. Generous with her time. Prolific with her advice - even if sometimes hard to take, but usually on point. And most importantly, a great listener that showed up for you. Her capacity to build you up but keep you grounded made her that rare person that even when not there with you physically, was always that voice in your head.

Barbara was predeceased by her parents, and her younger sister Sonia. Barbara is survived by her siblings: Juliette, Winston, Trevor, Kenneth and Hope. Her four children: Andrei (Carolyn), Andrea (Davies), Joan (Jamel), and Fatima (Harlan) Her sixteen grandchildren: Ryan, Samantha, Alexandra, Timmy, Joshua, Tatiana, Hutton, Aidan, Melanie, Peter, Aglaia, Bella, Ethan, Charlotte, Brianna, and Ashley. She is also survived by her 3 nieces, 5 nephews, and grand niece which she adored and loved as her own.

Barbara will be remembered fondly by all who met her.

A celebration of her life will be held on October 12th, 2024 in McDonough, GA.