Barbara J Fortney

Barbara Jones Fortney (Bright) passed away peacefully at home on August 13, 2025, at the age of 82, after a long struggle due to Parkinson’s disease and vascular dementia, with her husband of 28 years, John Bright Sr by her side.

Born on April 20, 1943, in Scranton, Pennsylvania, to Mary Elizabeth (Betsy) and Harold Jones, Barb was the eldest of six children. Growing up in a close-knit family, Barb’s siblings fondly remember that she took her role as the pack leader seriously and carried these qualities throughout her life. From running LANCO Federal Credit Union to gathering her family for holidays and celebrations to embarking on global adventures, Barb’s graceful and positive leadership shone in various aspects of her life.

As a girl, Barbie was known for her infectious smile, a twinkle in her eye, boundless energy, and insatiable appetite for adventure. She cherished reading, camping, Girl Scouting, and exploring the Christmas tree farm owned by her childhood best friend’s family. Her high school classmates described her as “impish” and nicknamed her Chippy, which aptly captures her demeanor.

Barbie’s academic journey led her to Bloomsburg University, where she earned a teaching degree. There, she met her first husband, Gerald W. Fortney Jr., and formed many lifelong friendships. After graduation, Barb and Jerry married and relocated to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, to pursue teaching positions. Together, they raised three children: Mark A. Fortney, Daryl R. Fortney, and Jodi A. Fortney. Barb instilled in her children the values of family, friendship, lifelong learning, pursuing dreams, and a love for travel.

When diagnosed with colon cancer, Jerry entrusted Barb with the responsibility of managing LANCO Federal Credit Union, which he had co-founded in his classroom. LANCO aimed to provide financial opportunities for teachers and those in need. After Jerry’s passing in 1984, Barb carried on his mission and transformed LANCO into a substantial financial institution with multiple branches across Lancaster County. Her dedication to the credit union’s mission led her to pursue an MBA from Penn State, ultimately securing the position of CEO. In Barb’s commitment to community service, she graduated from Leadership Lancaster and earned an award from PA Governor Rendell in 2006 from the Pennsylvania Task Force for Working Families. Barb retired from LANCO in 2010.

Beyond her credit union endeavors, Barb also took over the management of Water Buggy Waterslide, a beloved summer attraction on Route 30 that Jerry and she had built and operated with a group of friends.

Barb met her second husband, John Bright Sr., originally of Ephrata, at the Juke Box where she and her single friends would escape their domestic lives for a few hours of dancing and drinks. While Barb was known for her love of dancing, she preferred her sweet tooth over alcohol. Barb had a particular fondness for lunch out and was a regular at Isaac’s. She also frequently indulged in brownies, biscotti, and chocolate in various forms, because you know, “dark chocolate is healthy for you”. Together, Barb and John enjoyed various activities, including golfing, bridge, traveling, and weekly dinners with a close group of friends. Barb and John married in 1997, adding three stepchildren to the family.

Barb made it her mission in retirement to explore the world with friends and family, particularly her dear friend, Dede Barrett. Proud of her secure traveler status, Barb collected a plethora of passport stamps from various countries, including China, Africa, Israel, Egypt, Vietnam, Tibet, Iceland, Portugal, Spain, Croatia, South America, Sri Lanka, the United Kingdom, and many more. Along the way, she cherished the opportunity to collect art and souvenirs at each destination.Barb delighted in her four grandchildren: Hannah and Reagan Bright, Sark and Sasha Asadourian. She passed on her love of games and travel to them, accompanying them on trips across the country and up and down the East Coast.

Always optimistic, a psychic once predicted that Barb would live to 94. She held onto that hope until the very end of her life, and if anyone asked, she was never in any pain. During her waning years, Barb was cared for at home in Landisville by her husband, John Bright, with the support of her children, siblings, and friends.

Barb’s presence is deeply missed for her infectious smile, generous heart, unwavering support, and optimistic spirit by her husband, her children, her grandchildren; surviving siblings Pam Faust (Ronald), Jeff Jones (Joiann Galiano), Becky Crawford (Jerry), and Matt Jones (Maria); and many nieces, nephews, cousins, grandnieces, grandnephews, and friends.

A Celebration of Life will follow in late spring. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to a charitable organization of your choice. Barb embraced giving her children agency and would want you to follow your heart