Barbara F. La Neve

Barbara F. La Neve, 65 of Downingtown, PA passed away Thursday May 29, 2025, with her devoted husband, Stephen R. La Neve, at her side.

Born August 30, 1959 in West Chester, PA she was the daughter of the late Francis "Babe" John Finegan and the late Dolores Hemphill Finegan.

Barbara grew up in West Chester and graduated from Bishop Shanahan High School in 1977. She later graduated from Notre Dame University of Maryland in 1996 and completed further graduate level course work at Temple University, Tokyo (Japan) campus while living abroad with Stephen. 

During her pre-college years, Barbara was an accomplished high-level swimmer, competing for the Roslyn Swim Club during the summers and swam AAU at the Malvern Prep indoor facility during the winter and at the Suburban Swim Club for a number of years. She competed in the US Nationals in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, where she specialized in breaststroke and freestyle events.

Barbara was committed to her family - including her four sisters and many nieces and nephews - often taking family members on special getaways around the United States but most frequently spending time at the long-time family home in Ocean City, NJ, a home she and Stephen later purchased and renovated for future generations of the family to enjoy. Her travels included a trip to Hawaii with her mother, Dolores, as part of an awards trip she won in conjunction with her sales performance. She also traveled with her husband's grandmother, Myrtle Bisping, to Oberamergau, Germany, where they were able to watch the 350th anniversary performance of the world-renowned Passion Play.

During her life, Barbara had a long career in the information technology industry with IBM and Toshiba Information Systems including two assignments in Japan. She and Stephen would frequently plan vacations together in various exotic locales around the world as their business travels in the Asia-Pacific region often kept them apart with work until they were able to get together in places like Bali, Australia, and Thailand.

Barbara was a member of St. Agnes church in West Chester since her birth in 1959. She enjoyed cycling, fitness, cooking schools, family ancestry, and reading, after her career. After her return to the United States and settling back in the Chester County area, Barbara devoted a majority of her time to her nieces and nephews who were the world to her, getting as much from the relationships as she gave.

Barbara is survived by her husband, Stephen; her four sisters, Susan O'Donnell, Patricia Langdon, Amy Finegan, and Christine Simmons. As well, she is survived by many nieces and nephews on both her and Stephen's sides of the family.  

She was preceded in death by her parents, Francis and Dolores.

Relatives and friends are invited to her visitation on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 from 10:00 am - 10:45 am at St. Agnes Church 233 W. Gay St. West Chester, PA 19380, followed by her Funeral Mass at 11:00 am. Interment will be in St. Agnes Cemetery West Chester PA.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Barbara's honor to Bishop Shanahan High School, Downingtown, PA 19335. 

Arrangements by DellaVecchia, Reilly, Smith & Boyd Funeral Home, Inc. of West Chester, PA 610-696-1181; www.DellaFH.com