Barbara Helen Haromy

Barbara Helen Haromy, 93, passed away December 13, 2025, in Winter Garden, Florida. She was born June 10, 1932, in Humboldt County, Iowa to Carroll and Beulah Adams and was reared on the family farm. She graduated from Bode High School in a class of 16 students, earned a bachelor’s degree in Home Economics from Iowa State College, and married Dr. John C. “Doc” Haromy, Jr. on September 26, 1954. They settled in Lake Wales, Florida, where John was the town’s first veterinarian and Barbara managed the office. She was a talented artist and enjoyed sewing, crafts, volunteering, camping and unique travels on many continents.

Barbara was very active in Holy Spirit Catholic Church and in the Lake Wales community she loved. At church, she and John helped found the Mr. & Mrs. Club and worked for decades to provide coffee and donuts after Mass. She was a founding member and Past President of the Columbiettes and helped form and run the Smilettes. She was in voice and guitar choirs. She cherished the friends she made at church and as leader or volunteer in many other local organizations like the Women’s, Quota, and Lake of the Hills Clubs, Arts Council, Rotary, PTA, and an advocacy group she helped start for children with learning disabilities. She was a wonderful Scout leader. She was a director of the local Mental Health Association. She volunteered extensively at schools, taking care of sick children and at one point, being “room mother” to the entire 9th grade. She fostered abandoned baby animals and made into happy Haromy family pets many formerly abused or unwanted animals. She and friends entertained at nursing homes. She was a volunteer guide at Pinewood Estate. She relished volunteer tutoring with the Literacy Council. She was a dedicated poll worker. She loved children and trying new things and in her 70s, she attended Clown College so she could enjoy entertaining children at community events.

She was preceded in death by her mother and father, husband John, sister Fern Thomas, sister-in-law Judy Adams, and niece, Patty Neyer. She is survived by her children, Katherine H. Woltmann (Richard), David R. Haromy (Mary Ann) and Donald J. Haromy (Laurie), brothers Ronald Adams and Alan Adams (Mardell) and their families, sister Fern’s children Mike, Debbie, Sandy and Bobby Thomas and their families, as well as by many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She had a beautiful, optimistic spirit, sweet and upbeat disposition, ready smile, great sense of humor, and a huge heart to help others. She was beloved by her family and friends, who will miss her dearly.

A Memorial Mass will take place Saturday, February 28, 2026, at 10:00 AM at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, with a reception to follow in the Parish Hall.