Barbara Ann Lebkuecher

Barbara Ann Lebkuecher of Jamesport passed away at the age of 88 on June 18, 2025. 

She is survived by her husband Joseph; sons Joe (Katherine) and James; her grandchildren, Roy (Caralee) and Harry Lebkuecher (of Joseph)an Charles Lebkuecher (of James); and great-granddaughter Kit Ellen Lebkuecher.  

Born in Brooklyn, Barbara discovered a love of travel early, with her first airline trip to California with her dad at 12.  This followed her through her move to Williston Park for her teenage years, and summer break from Adelphi for a trip to Italy.

After a chance meeting at Page Two nightclub in Long Beach, she began dating Joseph Lebkuecher of Hicksville, N.Y., and they were married several years later on July 11, 1964.  Joseph was in the starting years of building North Fork Nursery, and it was her home ever since.

Barbara was outgoing and vivacious, and had many interests, including photography, watching the Mets, bowling for years at Wildwood Bowling Alley with longtime friends, volunteering with the Election Board for voting support at Aquebogue School and continuing education at Suffolk Community College.

This path led her to her lifelong love, astronomy.  She volunteered and served as treasurer for Custer Institute in Southold for 44 years, introducing people young and old to the study of the stars and the wonder of taking in the night sky.  Following events such as lunar eclipses, she journeyed to Africa, Mexico and around the States.

The Lebkuecher family has had its share of tribulations, but Mom always greeted everyone with a smile and a positive word.  Her last years brought challenges as she always sought to get out of the bed that became her prison, but the arrival of her great-grandchild in September 2024 brought her some peace and joy.  She will be missed by all.

The family received visitors at Tuthill-Mangano Funeral Home in Riverhead June 22. A prayer service was held June 23, followed by burial at Holy Rood Cemetery in Westbury.

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