Barbara V. Ratzke, loving wife of Jack Ratzke, passed into the hands of the Lord on June 24, 2026, at her home in The Villages, surrounded by her loving family.

Barbara and Jack met at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Olney, PA, and were married for 61 years, raising three children together. Barbara began her career in Respiratory Therapy at Einstein Hospital in Philadelphia and later at North Penn Hospital in Lansdale, before spending 20 years with the Central Bucks School District, where she served as a soccer cheerleading coach, union rep, and treasurer of the P.S.E.A.

After retirement, Barbara and Jack moved to their vacation home in Sea Isle City, NJ. There, she founded S.O.S. (Save Our Strays) Sea Isle Cats, Inc., dedicating herself to helping stray and community cats throughout the area. Working closely with regional rescue groups and shelters, and alongside Dr. Stull, she built a well-organized Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program. She believed no cat was “feral” — only scared — and never used the word. Barbara also served 13 years on the board of the Humane Society of Ocean City and received a lifetime achievement award for her work improving the lives of stray and community cats.

Above all, Barbara’s love was her family, but her passion was animals — friends often said they’d love to be one of her pets. Her favorite poem, “Weep Not,” captured her devotion:

Do not weep for me when I am gone,

For I have friends in the great beyond.

All the little ones I used to feed

Will come to me in my time of need.

They will purr and bark in great delight,

And I will hold and hug them so tight.

Oh, what a great day that will be,

When my furry friends all welcome me.

After moving back to Pennsylvania, Barbara worked for Laurel House, supporting families affected by domestic violence. She and Jack later settled in The Villages to enjoy the warm weather.

Barbara is survived by her husband, Jack; her children, Barbara Fuhr, Tracey Kerr (Rodney), and John Ratzke (Tina); five grandchildren, Emily Delvecchio (Michael), Melissa Fuhr, Natalie Ratzke, Alexandria L. Kerr, and Breandan Kerr; her great-granddaughter, Calla Grace, the apple of her eye; and her two beloved cats, Lizzy and Snowy.

At Barbara’s request, there will be no funeral services. She asks that everyone be kind to one another, be kind to animals, and love the Lord. In her memory, donations may be made to the Humane Society of Ocean City: https://hsocnj.com/