Barbara V. Mueller passed at Cooperstown Medical Center at 90; a long time resident of Roxbury NY
Barbara left this world peacefully to meet her Lord and Savior Jesus. She was surrounded by her family and dear caretaker Trish. It happened that this patriot came to the end of her 90 years on September 11th, Patriot Day. She had the great privilege of being cared for in her Roxbury, NY home by her son, Eric. These later years were challenging, especially after she lost Richard. Family and friends enjoyed a 90-year celebration in September of last year that included a private Bagpipe concert at Kirkside.
Barbara, “Babs” was born Barbara Drake Van Houten on September 28, 1934, in Belleville New Jersey to Katherine Davenport Drake and Edwin Van Houten. Barbara graduated from Drew University with a degree in Chemistry and made a career at the Lakehurst Naval Air Base Test Facility as a mathematician and logistics engineer. She was honored for being the first female civilian to stay on the aircraft carrier the US Independence. She retired and gradually moved in 1994 and came to Roxbury with her dear partner, the late Richard Ramga. Together they enjoyed many good years establishing a home and loving the community. They shared a love for skiing at Plattekill, where she cherished her skiing career until the age of 83. “Babs” loved to talk and was gifted at remembering vast details about friends and even acquaintances. She probably was the reason for the term TMI (too much information) She had a deep love for music and enjoyed her grandchildren’s performances. She spent some years following Andrea Bocelli concerts with her good friends, Doris and Grace. She continued her love for music by attending yearly Festival of the Voice Concerts with her daughter, Nadine. In her last hours she listened to recordings by her favorite artist Bocelli.
Barbara D Van Houten was married to the late Edward C Mueller of Spring Lake, NJ in 1957. They raised their family on the Jersey shore in Brick Town. Barbara encouraged her eldest daughter Nyla to play the trumpet, leading the rest of the family into the Surfmen marching band, a tradition which has lasted generations. Barbara enjoyed some years in her forties running with her 2 sons, Eric and Craig, and won several races, even completing the Princeton half marathon. She fondly remembered meeting her eldest son John at the Sir Francis Drake hotel where she recounted being treated like royalty. Barbara is survived by her children, John Hollister, Nyla Mueller, Nadine McCarthy, Eric Mueller and Craig Mueller. She dearly loved her 11 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren; she recognized this abundance as she was an only child. She also was a faithful correspondent. Barbara made it a point to reach out to many, including relatives but also especially folks who needed encouragement. She in particular would mail out Valentine cards to remind people in her life that they are loved. In her last hours, she expressed a deep gratitude for God and her family.
There will be a Memorial Celebration of her life at noon on December 27, 2025, at the Roxbury United Methodist Church. Refreshments following. RSVP Nadine McCarthy 434-409-5938.
Please feel free to stop by the House to check in with Eric Mueller 828-242-7598 who would be happy to receive and speak to you about his mother. In lieu of flowers please send donations to Roxbury United Methodist Church or Heart of the Catskills in Delhi.
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