Barbara Poppleton Braunstein

Mrs. Barbara Poppleton Braunstein, 92, wife of the late Paul William Braunstein, MD, passed away on Sunday, June 10, 2018, in Virginia Beach, VA.  Barbara and Paul moved to Jamesville, VA in 1989, from Bay Shore, NY where they raised their family for 40 years.

Born on October 22, 1925 in Elmira, NY, she was a daughter of the late Lewis Glenn Poppleton and Gertrude Geisser Poppleton.  Barbara attended Elmira College and Cornell University New York Hospital School of Nursing and graduated in 1948.  Barbara dedicated her life to raising their family of twelve children; who in turn blessed her with 43 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren.  In retirement, Paul and Barbara lived in Jamesville, VA at Heron Pool where she and Paul fished, and continuously entertained family for 26 years.  She also volunteered at the Accomack-Northampton Pregnancy Center, and was an active member of St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church in Onley, VA.  In 2013, Barbara moved to Atlantic Shores in Virginia Beach where she loved her new home, continued to entertain, and made wonderful friends.  

Barbara was a woman of strong and unwavering faith, a great sense of humor and humility.  You always knew where you stood with Mom.  She never minced words. Barbara was dedicated to her family and was the prototypical loving spouse and mother.  She was adored and will be missed by all who knew her.

She was predeceased by her husband, Paul (2011); two brothers, Richard Joseph Poppleton of Ormond Beach, FL, and Lewis Glenn Poppleton of Elmira, NY; and several nieces and nephews; as well as her grandson Glenn Braunstein, Jr (2014), and son-in-law Stephen Hugh Gunnels (2017).

She is survived by twelve children: Claire Gunnels of Houston, TX and her three children; Dr. Barbara (William) Wilson of Charlottesville, VA and their six children; Janet (Robert) Moody of Oakfield, Nova Scotia and their 2 children, Dr. Paul (Linda) Braunstein, Jr. of Virginia Beach, VA and their three children;, Glenn (Paddy) Braunstein of Danville, VA and his 2 remaining sons; Mark (Tracy) Braunstein of Western Springs, IL and their three children; Martha Braunstein of Virginia Beach, VA and her three children; Laura (Stephen) White of Chesapeake, VA and their daughter; Julia (Michael) Dailey of Rye, NY and their six children, Dr. Carrie (Andrew) D’Angelo of Medfield, MA and their six children, Dr. Emily (Stephen) Nazarian of Charlotte, NC and their 4 children, and James (Mary Sheridan)Braunstein of Franklin, MA and their three children;  as well as her sister, Suzanne P. Hallowell of Rochester, NY.  

A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church in Onley, VA on Tuesday, June 12, 2018 at 11:00 a.m., with Father Rogelio Abadano officiating.  Interment will follow in the Belle Haven Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for memorial donations to the Barbara and Paul Braunstein Scholarship, St. Peter’s Church, c/o Knights of Columbus, PO Box 860, Onley, Virginia 23418.

Memory tributes may be shared with the family at www.williamsfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements by the Williams-Onancock Funeral Home.

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