Barbara Jean "Jeanie" Speiden

Barbara Jean “Jeanie” Speiden, 88, passed away peacefully at Lorien Mt. Airy in Mt. Airy, Maryland.

Jeanie was born on April 21, 1938, in Marietta, Ohio, the eldest daughter of Robert E. Diedrich and Norma J. (Harrington) Diedrich. She graduated from Parkersburg High School in Parkersburg, West Virginia, in 1956.

Jeanie was blessed with wonderful parents whom she loved dearly, and she treasured being their daughter. She was also a devoted sister to Judith and Sue, who were not only her sisters but her lifelong best friends. Their bond remained incredibly close throughout her life and rarely did a day go by that they did not speak to one another.

Jeanie worked for 14 years as a secretary at Vienna Grade School in Vienna, West Virginia. After moving to Silver Spring, Maryland, she became an executive secretary at Choice Hotels, where she remained until her retirement in 2009. It was a career she truly loved. Jeanie took great pride in her work and genuinely valued the relationships she shared with her bosses and colleagues. Exceptionally organized and attentive to every detail, she was perfectly suited to her role and brought those qualities to nearly everything she did.

Family was at the center of Jeanie’s life. She loved being an active mother and grandmother and took great joy in being present in the lives of her children and grandchildren. Whether it was a school program, sporting event, or another special occasion, Jeanie loved showing up, cheering them on, and sharing in the moments that were important to them.

Jeanie had a wonderful sense of humor, an easy smile, and a way of bringing happiness to those around her. She also loved fashion, style, and beauty and always took pride in looking her best. Even while battling cancer, Jeanie continued to dress beautifully and care for her appearance. Maintaining her sense of style helped her hold on to her sense of self and identity, even during the most difficult days of her illness. It was simply part of who Jeanie was.

Of all the things Jeanie loved in her life, her greatest love was Ed. Although they had attended high school together, their love story began years later when they reconnected at their 25th high school reunion. From that moment on, Jeanie and Ed were inseparable. They shared 44 years together, building a life centered around love, companionship, family, and simply being together. Their devotion to one another was evident to everyone who knew them, and the love Jeanie had for Ed remained at the heart of her life.

Jeanie is survived by her beloved husband, Edgar F. Speiden, Jr.; her two sons, Ryan (Christina) Speiden and Brett (Alisha) Pickens; her sisters, Judith (Larry) Kemp and Sue (Jim) Stage; her grandsons, Blake and Chase Speiden; her granddaughters, Jessica Huffman, Kylie Walker, and Emily Pickens; nine great-grandchildren; and three nephews. She is also survived by two dear friends of many years whose friendship she treasured.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Norma Diedrich.

Jeanie lived her life loving deeply, laughing often, taking pride in the things she did, and being there for the people who mattered most to her. She was a devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, friend, and colleague. Her beautiful smile, sense of humor, impeccable style, and, most of all, the love she gave so freely will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew her.

A private celebration of life will be held in her honor. In lieu of flowers, the family asks those wishing to honor Jeanie’s life to consider a donation to a cause especially close to her heart.

Both Jeanie and her granddaughter, Jessica Huffman, faced cancer with courage and strength. Jessica’s own experience with cancer inspired her to establish the Jessica Huffman Women’s Cancer Fund at the Marietta Community Foundation, a fund dedicated to helping women maintain their dignity, confidence, and sense of self while navigating cancer treatment.

The fund provides resources that can make a meaningful difference during treatment, including wigs, lash serums, cooling caps, scarves, nutritious meals, massage therapy, and other supportive services. This mission is especially fitting in Jeanie’s memory. Even throughout her own battle with cancer, she took pride in looking her best. Maintaining her sense of style and caring for her appearance helped her hold on to her sense of self and identity, even during the most difficult days of her illness. Jeanie would be honored to know that donations made in her memory will support her granddaughter’s cause and help other women facing cancer preserve that same sense of dignity, confidence, and self.

Those wishing to donate to Jeanie’s memory may learn more and contribute through the Marietta Community Foundation:www.mcfohio.org/news/new-era-of-impact-tony-jessica-huffman Marietta Community FoundationP.O. Box 77 Marietta, OH 45750 Please indicate that the donation is in memory of Barbara Speiden and is designated for the Jessica Huffman Women’s Cancer Fund.