Delta Gamma Mourns the Loss of Barbara Bartlett Probst, Gamma Upsilon-Wichita State
Our Delta Gamma hearts are heavy as we share the passing of Barbara Bartlett Probst, Gamma Upsilon-Wichita State. She passed peacefully at home on November 7, 2024, with family at her side.
Barb’s Delta Gamma contributions through her leadership roles within the Fraternity and Foundation are many, but perhaps most significantly, she will be remembered for sharing her gift of music with sisters. Her Delta Gamma music legacy began as a collegian at the 1958 Convention in Miami, Florida, when the sister chosen to play the piano was under quarantine at the hotel with measles. Barb stepped forward and exclaimed that she knew all of the DG songs and would love to play the piano for the Convention chorus. And so, her Delta Gamma music journey began — for six decades at Conventions, one could find her up front at the piano keys. Her passion for DG music paired with 66 years of service to the Fraternity, Foundation and National Panhellenic Conference, serving as: Fraternity VP: Membership (1986-90) and VP: Development (1990-94), Phoenix Convention Chair (2000), NPC Delegate (1986-90 and again from 1999-2013) and Foundation Ambassador (2016-24).
In 2022, Barb was honored with the Delta Gamma Anchor Award for her many musical achievements that spread across the entire Fraternity and Panhellenic world. Barb believed the songs of Delta Gamma are a significant thread of our sisterhood and heritage which binds us to memories and reminds us of our connections. It was Barb's goal to ensure our music lives on and resonates in personal, unique ways and perpetuates our sense of belonging. She achieved that goal by having Delta Gamma songs digitally recorded and housed online to make the music accessible and therefore harmonizing sisters all over the world today and for many years to come.
“Barb’s music legacy will live on forever; she is a true champion and mentor who holds a special place in my heart for giving me the confidence to rise and lead at higher DG levels,” said close friend and fellow Phoenix alumnae group member, Mary Anne Ruman Lachenmaier, Alpha Pi-Arizona.
While serving on Fraternity Council in the early 1990s, Barb headed teams to extend Delta Gamma onto seven campuses. Chapters existing thanks to Barb’s leadership include Zeta Rho-Ohio, Zeta Nu-Montevallo and Zeta Xi-UAB, just to name a few.
In 2007, Barb was honored with the coveted Betty Gilmore Woods Award for Greek Achievementfrom the Association of Fraternal Leadership & Values (AFLV). This honor is bestowed on an alumna who fosters positive change to advance the fraternal movement.
Former Delta Gamma Foundation Executive Director Roxanne Ebner LaMuth, Epsilon-Ohio State, said, “Barb will go down in Delta Gamma history as an incredible leader who empowered others to lead. However, it was her contagious energy and beautiful spirit that had a positive and powerful impact on me personally, as well as on thousands of DG sisters throughout North America. The twinkle in her eye and the way she radiated warmth and kindness always put a magical spin on any DG project or task you happened to be working with her on at the time.”
Former Fraternity President Maureen “Reen” Sweeney Syring, Nu-Idaho, recalls, “During a Council meeting in Columbus, Ohio, the Kappas invited us to join them for lunch and a tour of their headquarters. After lunch we sat in their “sitting room” and in the corner was a beautiful antique piano. Before long, Barbara moseyed over to the piano and promptly began to play Anchors Aweigh! None of us could resist and joined in singing loudly the words we all love and cherish — in harmony!”
Delta Gamma sends our sincere condolences to Jerry, Barb’s husband of 65 years, and to her family she dearly loved.
We invite you to honor Barb’s legacy with a gift to the Delta Gamma Foundation Barbara Bartlett Probst Honorary Scholarship, established by Barb’s family and friends to honor her contributions to Delta Gamma. If you would like to support this fund, please choose “Other” when making your gift, and note “Barb Bartlett Probst Honorary Scholarship” in the “Comments” section. Thank you for remembering Barb in this special way. She will be missed.
About Delta Gamma: Delta Gamma Fraternity was founded in 1873 at Lewis School in Oxford, Mississippi. The Fraternity’s primary purpose is to foster high ideals of friendship, promote educational and cultural interests, create a true sense of social responsibility and develop the best qualities of character. Delta Gamma has 280,000 initiated members, 147 collegiate chapters and more than 170 alumnae groups. Delta Gamma Fraternity Executive Offices is in Columbus, Ohio.