Members of Lancaster County’s nonprofit community are paying tribute to the generous spirit and transformational legacy of philanthropist Ann B. Barshinger.
Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health will be “forever grateful” to her, CEO John Herman said in a statement.
Franklin & Marshall College said Barshinger “set a consummate example of community service.”
Barshinger, age 100, died of natural causes Sunday, LNP reported.
Born Ann Boyd in York County, Barshinger grew up in modest circumstances. In 1946, she married Richard Barshinger. His family had founded an agricultural milling company in Red Lion, York County. It was acquired by what is today ConAgra; the sale of the firm provided the couple the wealth that supported their donations.
The couple gave millions of dollars to local institutions and causes, and Ann continued to do so after Richard’s passing in 2001. Institutions that bear the Barshinger name include the Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Center at Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health; the Ann & Richard Barshinger Life Sciences & Philosophy Building and the Ann & Richard Barshinger Center for Musical Arts at Franklin & Marshall College; and the Ann B. Barshinger Campus at the Boys & Girls Club of Lancaster.
Kristy Gismot, vice president of resource development at United Way of Lancaster County, previously worked at Milagro House, where she got to know Ann Barshinger personally.
“She was as good humored and down to earth as she was generous,” Gismot said. “When she would talk about the extent of her generosity, she often made the joke that there aren’t U-Haul trucks at funerals because you can’t take it with you.
“She has left behind many cherished memories and a meaningful legacy that will impact the community for generations.”
Here is a selection of statements released by local nonprofits:
Aaron’s Acres
Aaron’s Acres and our entire community lost a good friend yesterday—Ann B. Barshinger. Her passion to give to others was exceptional. If only we all had a little piece of Ann inside of us — we will truly miss her!
Boys & Girls Club of Lancaster
We are honored and grateful to have known Ann. She was an extraordinary woman who spent the last century bringing love and laughter to the lives of everyone she met.
Her dedication to the Lancaster community was unparalleled, investing millions to make visions for a better and brighter Lancaster become a reality. She ensured children in Lancaster are safe and have a special place to learn and grow during their out-of-school time with her investment in the Boys & Girls Club of Lancaster’s Ann B. Barshinger Campus.
Her legacy of compassion and commitment will continue to inspire us all, and her contributions will forever be a cornerstone of our community. We are deeply grateful for her remarkable life and the profound impact she made.
Crispus Attucks Community Center
Thank you, my friend. Your wealth extends far beyond finances. Your legacy is in the strong relationships you nurtured, the communities you uplifted, and the love you shared with everyone you encountered. Rest now, your impactful work is complete. — Joshua Hunter, Director
Franklin & Marshall College
Mrs. Barshinger was a steadfast and inspiring advocate for Franklin & Marshall College and its students. Her warmth, affinity for young people, and the twinkle in her eye will stay with me always. And of course, her truly selfless philanthropy will continue to improve lives — at F&M and throughout Pennsylvania — for generations to come. — President Barbara K. Altmann
Fulton Theatre
The Fulton Theatre is heartbroken to hear about the passing of Ann B. Barshinger. We are so grateful for all she did for our entire community, especially her support of the arts and artists. We are proud to have her name associated with our organization and know that her generosity has and will continue to help all artists feel at home in Lancaster. We will forever celebrate her!
Lancaster Science Factory
Today the Lancaster Science Factory remembers one of our most generous supporters, Ann Barshinger, who passed away over the weekend at the age of 100. Ann’s giving in recent years has supported our Pre-K program Science that Sticks for Ages 4 to 6, our Library Pass Program, and the addition of the Ann B. Barshinger Water Lab in 2019.
Her generosity continues to impact the lives of the tens of thousands of students who visit us every year, and her sense of humor will not be soon forgotten.
Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health
The Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health family mourns the loss of philanthropist and friend, Ann B. Barshinger. Ann’s philanthropy has been felt across Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health, but most notably though her leadership gift that launched the campaign to build the Cancer Institute that bears her name.
Ann visited the Cancer Institute frequently and this past September, the staff and patients of the Cancer Institute gathered to celebrate Ann’s 100th milestone birthday.
Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health will be forever grateful to Ann for her investments in our mission and for making our Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute possible for our community. — John Herman, CEO
Prima Theatre
I was honored to know Ann and witness her dedication to our community. When my young family and I first moved to Lancaster, Ann welcomed us warmly into her home. Despite its beautiful art and cherished mementos, her focus was always on making us feel at home, including my very active two-year-old son at the time. At 90 years old, she took us—my wife, our two young children (one being an infant at the time), and me—out for breakfast, introducing us to her favorite crispy bacon at the Willow Street Restaurant and sharing the scenic beauty of Lancaster County’s waterways and farmland. Her passion for local businesses, organizations, and natural wonders, as well as her deep love for her community, were truly inspiring. …
Ann’s influence extended far beyond financial support. She understood the transformative power of the arts and often reminded us that “doing the same old productions gets old fast…and I know old!” Her call to embrace innovation and invigorate our cultural landscape resonated throughout the region’s arts, human services, and healthcare sectors. — Mitch Nugent, founding executive producer
Union Community Care
Our hearts are heavy to hear about the passing of Ann Barshinger. Ann was a tireless and effective champion known for her incredible generosity in making Lancaster a more vibrant and healthy community. Her support to us through the years has played a meaningful role in advancing our purpose, which is to provide healthcare that welcomes and strengthens our community by integrating body, mind, and heart. … Ann’s legacy of generosity is deeply touching and will continue to impact future generations.
United Way of Lancaster County
United Way of Lancaster County joins the Lancaster County community in mourning the loss of Ann B. Barshinger. While we know her absence is felt deeply in the lives of her loved ones and the many people she touched, we are also inspired by her legacy of leadership and philanthropy and know she will live on in the hearts of Lancastrians for generations to come. — Kate Zimmerman, President & CEO
VisionCorps
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Ann Barshinger.
In one of her many philanthropic activities, Ann was an avid supporter of VisionCorps and our mission to empower individuals with vision loss to attain independence. The Ann B. Barshinger Visionary Center in Lancaster and the Richard & Ann B. Barshinger Visionary Center of York stand as symbols of Ann’s commitment and generosity to the blind and vision impaired community.
In addition to her support for VisionCorps, her philanthropic activities have impacted tens of thousands of individuals throughout the York and Lancaster communities.
