Barbara Lynn Geiger

Barbara Lynn Geiger, age 77, died peacefully on September 26, 2026 in St. Petersburg, FL.

Barb, or Barbie, as she was known to her late parents, was one of two children of Edward “Eddie” Henry Calhoun and Mary Edith “Edie” Calhoun (Brown) and grew up in Bronxville, NY. She attended school in Bronxville until she went to boarding school in Fairfax, VA. In 1967, Barb presented as a debutante at the Bronxville Debutante Cotillion and Christmas Ball.

After high school, she earned an Associate’s degree from the University of Tennessee. She lived in San Francisco and Boston before traveling Europe for a month with a dear friend. She then moved back to New York and worked in the City. She claimed that one of her best memories there was enjoying the Sabrett hotdogs sold at the stands - with sauerkraut, of course. Shortly thereafter, she met her future husband, Jon Bruce Geiger, while visiting her sister’s family in Rochester, NY. Barb married Bruce and they resided in Rochester near her sister. Barb became stepmom to Sarah, whom she adored and loved. She loved her life with her husband, stepdaughter, best friend/sister, brother-in-law, Charlie, and nephews, Chip and Jamie. In 1983, Barb’s and Bruce’s beloved daughter, Lauren Elizabeth, was born and raised by her parents in Rochester. Barb chose to be a stay-at-home mom, sometimes assisting Bruce at his firm, and devoted herself to Lauren.

By all accounts Barb was committed to being the best mother possible, and to her family, she achieved greatness in her commitment. Bruce passed away in 1992, and Barb went back to work, devoting every fiber of her being to make sure Lauren had the best life. Although Barb worked numerous jobs, sometimes more than one at a time, she never missed a field hockey game, track meet, or any other event when Lauren was in high school. After Lauren went to college, Barb worked three jobs, sometimes working 24/7 to make ends meet for herself and her daughter. Despite the long hours, Barb did not complain, saying, “Que sera, sera, whatever will be, will be.” Eventually she found her calling as an at-home healthcare aide where she could sustain herself while providing loving care to those in need.

She had a beautiful spirit that showed through her smile and laugh. Barb’s wit, however, caused her to be referred to as a spitfire, a pip, and most commonl, a character. Her kind, gentle, selfless, loving spirit brought comfort to her friends, family, and even extended to strangers that found her to be endearing and very memorable. Barb’s energy generated a magnetic pull, drawing in animals, children, and anyone in need of a smile. She once lulled a horse to sleep while holding and speaking to the horse during Lauren’s riding practice. During one of Lauren’s birthday parties, Barb ended up the star of the show although she redirected attention back to the birthday girl. And friends, neighbors, nurses, social workers, and aides would all come by to visit her just for a little company. One such person told her daughter that she used to stop by to visit Barb on hard days because Barb would inherently brighten her day. She loved all animals, but was partial to dogs (especially the ones with “King Kong eyes”), and gorillas and monkeys. Her charisma extended to plants, that always flourished under her care.

Barb enjoyed reading, gardening, and soaking in the few rays of sun that Rochester offered. She loved preparing food for her family and watching cooking shows for inspiration. Her motto during cooking was, “Don’t be afraid!”

Barb’s love affair with the South began when she visited her sister Sandy at college in Lakeland, FL. Barb spent considerable amounts of time in Florida, visiting her sister, brother-in-law, and nephews. The ladies, the “sun goddesses,” would bask in the sun for hours together.

Eventually, Barb’s daughter and son-in-law Mikey relocated from New York to Florida, and Barb followed a few years later, realizing her dream of living in the sunshine. Barb enjoyed the regular company of Lauren and Mikey, and so much laughter, her sense of humor invigorated by Mikey’s. Being kindred spirits, Mikey always brightened her day during visits and vice versa. She enjoyed sunning by the pool, taking her little dog, Leah, sitting with friends, watching the sunset by the bay, shopping, and being with Lauren and Mikey and Barb’s “grand-fur-kids.”

As Barb’s health declined, she spent more time watching television, including reruns of The Price is Right. She particularly enjoyed Little House on the Prairie, explaining that it reminded her of her life when her husband and sister were alive and she was raising her young daughter. Her daughter Lauren hoped Barb’s nostalgia brought her some peace in between Lauren’s visits and their daily phone calls. Shortly before her passing, Barb was blessed to be given a week in the sun with her nephews, Jamie and Nolan. She loved playing cards, a true card shark gifted with the Calhoun competitive spirit. Barb, however, had the grace to act surprised each time she beat her nephews in every game. Barb relayed to her daughter how much she enjoyed holding Nolan’s hand during that visit. And just a week prior to her death, she was able to wake Mikey up by singing “Happy Birthday,” which was one of the things he looked forward to most on his birthday. He holds that memory dear to his heart and she always referred to him as her son, which often confused acquaintances as they were unsure if Lauren or Mikey was her biological child.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Eddie and Edie, her sister, Sandy, her husband, Bruce, and her beloved animals, most recently, her chihuahua terrier, Leah Maria. She is survived by her daughter, Lauren, her son-in-law, Mikey, and her grand-fur-kids, Pocket, Otter, and Maggie Mae, that Barb so enjoyed in Florida, her nephews, Jamie, Nolan, Chip, Beth, and their 2 daughters of Tennessee, and her stepdaughter, Sarah, her husband, and their 2 daughters of Virginia.

Barb lived with her heart full of love, laughter, and kindness, always wanting to do more for those she loved, and will be remembered as an inspiration for a life well lived.