Barbara Ann Leeper, née Schmidt, loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, died on Friday, May 21st in Prescott Valley, AZ. Barbara was 74.


Deeply caring and compassionate, Barbara dedicated her life to giving joy to others. 


Barbara graduated from Marshall High School in Cleveland, OH, in 1965. She attended her senior prom with Robert Leeper —  he would become her husband and life-long love. Barbara went on to study at St. Alexis School of Nursing and Cleveland State.


After marrying Robert on May 18, 1968, Barbara devoted herself to being a mother and Navy spouse. She and Robert set up homes in Argencia Newfoundland, Brunswick, Maine, Millington,Tennessee, and settled in St. Mary’s county MD for twenty four years, where they would raise their two daughters. While in St. Mary’s, Barbara was an avid volunteer with St. George’s church, the Girl Scouts and the St. Mary’s County Schools. Barbara worked as an operator and systems analyst on Pax River Naval Air Station and Dahlgren Va. for 15 years providing software testing and training for a U.S. Navy intelligence community with sites around the world.


Barbara and Robert continued their great adventure, moving to Kapolei, Hawaii in 1995. Barbara became a caregiver for her mother, Frances Schmidt, and disabled brother, Robert Schmidt. Seeing an opportunity to bring smiles to the facilities that supported her brother, she joined a clown club in Honolulu, and trained as a clown. As “Bleepers the Clown”, she visited nursing homes and participated in local events and parades. Robert and Barbara were members of Makakilo Baptist church, and she volunteered as a Children’s Sunday school teacher for many years.


Moving to Arizona in 2015, Barbara became a Deacon at Christ Presbyterian Church in Goodyear, Arizona.


Over the years Barbara enjoyed friends, laughter,  music, tennis, beach walks, many family pets, sailing, snorkeling, motorcycling, traveling, and most recently, horseback riding.


Barbara was a deeply caring and loving soul and always had a smile for people she met.


Barbara and Robert celebrated their fifty-third anniversary on May 18, a celebration of many adventures and growing-up and old together. 


Barbara is survived by husband Robert, daughters AnnMarie Leeper and Christina Leeper Goebel (Park Allen), and granddaughters Augustine Goebel, Makenzie Allen and Delaney Allen.


In remembrance of Barbara’s life, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to The Alzheimer's Association.

The family is planning a memorial and celebration of life in Hawaii in January 2022. We spent much of our adult lives in Hawaii, and have many friends and memories of our time in the islands. Details will be provided at a later date