Barbara (Ann) Foley Buedel

Dr. Barbara (Ann) Foley Buedel, 74, long-time resident of Williamsport, PA, passed away on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the Gatehouse at Divine Providence Hospital. 

She was born September 7, 1951 in Lexington, KY and grew up in nearby Versailles, KY.

Preceded her in death were her parents Linda and Joe Foley, her husband Jim Buedel, uncles George Hellard and Glen Franklin, aunts Elizabeth Whitehouse and Una Mae Lindberg, grandson Avery Buedel, and several cousins including, Cameron Cassriel, Doug and Roy Lindberg, and Jim Whitehouse.

Barbara is survived by her daughter Rachel (Sean Farley), her stepdaughter Lora (Eran Sobol), her stepson Bradley Buedel, her grandchildren Liam Farley, Olivia and Briggs Sobol, Jakob and Vivienne Buedel; a brother Joe Foley (Rosanne), niece and nephew Katherine Foley and Harrison Foley; and her aunts Sara Davis Hellard and Lillian (Mark) Hoferkamp. 

A member of the Honors Program, Barbara graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Kentucky, with a major in Spanish and a minor in English. She then went on to attend Yale University where she earned a Master’s in Spanish, a Master’s in Philosophy, and a Doctorate in Spanish.  At Yale, Barbara originally focused on Medieval Spanish literature, but a course on Renaissance literature inspired her to move forward in time, writing her dissertation on picaresque novels.  In the second half of her career, she moved forward again as she studied and wrote almost exclusively on Spain’s contemporary theater.

Spain became Barbara’s adopted second home, as she made countless trips there over her lifetime, the first as a high school student.  Her appreciation for Spain’s medieval architecture plus numerous hours in the Prado Museum in Madrid inspired her to develop a course on the art of Spain.  She hiked the Camino de Santiago (500 miles long), two and a half times.  On the Camino, Barbara began walking by herself, but one is never alone on the Camino.  Her daughter, Rachel, joined her for part of that first journey in 2005, and Barb soon met another pilgrim, who became a steadfast friend.  Barbara and Jim walked the Camino together in 2010 and again in 2011 for half of the length.  Her increased time in Spain was spent researching and attending contemporary Spanish theater, as well as spending time with students studying abroad.  Barbara often told her students that being a professor allowed her to be a perpetual student. She frequently remarked on how she felt lucky to have found her passion for Spain’s literature, art and culture so early in life.

Barbara loved teaching and her students. She was blessed to stay close to a number of them throughout her career. At Lycoming College she served as Chair of the Faculty, Chair of the Department of Modern Language Studies, and Coordinator of the Study Abroad Program.  Originally elected for one year, Barbara later served two five-year terms on the Promotion and Tenure Committee.  She served on numerous committees, both appointed (peer evaluations and search committees) and elected (Faculty Personnel and member of the Faculty Executive Committee).  Barbara was a committed researcher. She presented papers in Spanish and English at regional, national and international conferences.  She authored more than 30 articles and book chapters in academic journals and books published in the United States and Spain.

Barbara loved her family, and she looked forward to opportunities to gather.  Her favorite holiday was Thanksgiving for the love of being together, and for the scalloped oysters, corn pudding, layered salad, and pecan pie.  She also loved traveling with family; her joy of adventure extended beyond Spain. From repeat family trips to Mexico and Myrtle Beach, to traveling with Jim to see their son-in-law’s family in Israel and multiple countries in between, Barbara seldom turned down an opportunity to see the world. 

Her funeral will be held at Christ Episcopal Church, 426 Mulberry St, Williamsport PA on Saturday, August 22nd, 2026 at 11:00 A.M. with a reception in the Parish Hall to follow.

A Zoom link to view the service remotely will be provided as soon as it is available.

In lieu of flowers, donations are welcome at the Barbara and James Buedel Study Abroad Scholarship at Lycoming College, St.Jude’s Research Hospital, Planned Parenthood, and the Lycoming County SPCA.

Arrangements entrusted to Sanders Mortuary.