Barbara LeVan
Wilmington- Barbara LeVan, 69, the daughter of Robert LeVan and Dolores Nikles (Nicki) and a long-time resident, died peacefully in her home on February 1, surrounded by the love of family, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.
Barbara is survived by her daughter Emma Rose Sprenger-Timmons and grandson Lennon Timmons, of West Dover; father Robert LeVan and his wife Gail LeVan; her sister Sandy LeVan; brother Robert LeVan and his wife Linda Dietz; and step-daughters Brie Beckwith and husband Justin and their children Redmond and Frida, of Warren, and Tyne Pike-Sprenger and husband David Rothman and their children Tulsi and Wilder, of Fayston.
Barbara was born on December 18, 1953, in Allentown, PA. She studied at the University of Maryland and then at the University of Pittsburgh where she received her degree in physical therapy. Her clinical work brought her to Summit County Colorado and New Hampshire. She blended functional rehab and manual therapy with craniosacral therapy, energy medicine, and spiritual healing practices. In 1989, Barbara opened her private practice, Physical Therapy Plus, LLC, in Wilmington. She owned and managed this patient-centered, holistic, community-based practice until 2013 and continued to treat patients from her home office until 2019, when she retired.
Barbara taught for the Upledger Institute and the Barral Institute, where she developed deep connections to teachers and colleagues. She was an advanced teacher of manual therapies and enjoyed a long and distinguished teaching career, both nationally and internationally. In her teaching travels throughout the world, she often brought Eric and Emma Rose with her.
The love of Barbara’s life, her husband Eric Sprenger, died March 1, 2022. They shared a full and joyous connection to outdoor activities: biking, hiking, cross-country, telemark, and Alpine skiing, distance swimming at Lake Whitingham, snow shoeing, camping, kayaking, and walking together and with their daughters and later their grandchildren in their beloved Vermont woods. Their first date in 1996 consisted of a 10-mile hike/run on the Haystack Ridge mountain loop. They had a beautiful outdoor wedding in 1999 at Jenckes Farm, in Marlboro, with friends and family. In the fall of 1999 they welcomed 3-month-old Emma Rose, into the family through adoption.
Barbara (“Nana”) said time and time again that Lennon was her source of light, especially within the year after Eric’s death. “Nana”, Emma Rose, and Lennon enjoyed walks to the lake together as well as other outdoor adventures, and many visits to see the neighbor’s tractor. Lennon always looked forward to his sleepovers at Nana’s house.
Barbara and Eric enjoyed their travels to the Mad River Valley to visit Brie, Tyne, and their families for ski adventures, and looked forward to when they would visit Wilmington for backyard barbecues and swimming at the lake.
Barbara was a brilliant and treasured soul who touched many lives through her wisdom, loving presence and healing abilities, she was described as having a mother earth connection. She was passionate about gardening, studying, and playing cello with her close friend and teacher Judith Serkin, meditating, sewing toddler clothing and dresses for Emma, as well as gifts for loved ones, and her tradition of Sunday night dinners at the lake with family and close friends.
Barbara’s love, generosity, and strength will carry on through her family and friends. Services will be held at the West Dover Congregational Church on April 1 at 11 am followed by interment for close friends and family, then will move to Memorial Hall from 1 to 4 pm to receive family and friends at the celebration of life. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to Dr. John E Upledger Foundation, 11211 Prosperity Farms Road, D323, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410.
To send the family personal condolences visit www.sheafuneralhomes.com.
