Barbara Jane (Shoemaker) Dayney

Barbara Jane (Shoemaker) Dayney

Barbara Jane (Shoemaker) Dayney, 94, of Odenton, Maryland, passed away on January 9, 2023. Barbara was born on May 2, 1928, to Harry and Phoebee Shoemaker in Plymouth, Michigan. She was the youngest of nine children (five sisters and three brothers). She spent her childhood living and attending school in Plymouth. Barbara began skating at Riverside Roller Rink in Livonia, Michigan. At the rink, she met her future husband, John Dayney. They married in 1946, and welcomed three children – Jack, Randy, and Robin.

Together, they started their careers as amateur skaters - placing in the Nationals in Singles and, together, in Pairs. Barbara turned pro in 1954, while John turned pro in 1948. They launched a competitive skating club at Livonia’s Riverside, which won the United States Amateur Roller-Skating Association’s (USARSA) National High Point Trophy from 1955 through 1959.

In 1959, Barbara and John moved with their family to Massapequa, New York to teach at America on Wheels Levittown Arena on Long Island. That club also won the National High Point Trophy many times under their leadership. Barbara and John taught at the Levittown Arena until it closed in 1986. They then taught at other rinks throughout Long Island and New Jersey. In 2004, they moved to Odenton, Maryland where they taught at the Laurel Skating Center. Barbara concluded her career teaching at Wheels Skating Center in Odenton, Maryland until the age of 86.

Barbara and John’s expertise in Figures and Freestyle was portrayed in their award-winning skaters throughout the years, which included their three children and continued to future generations with their granddaughter, April, and great grandson, Deven. Barbara’s skating success proudly earned her the USARSA Lifetime Achievement Award.

Barbara’s professional record was outstanding. Equally notable was her impact on skaters as people, not just as athletes. Generations of skaters learned a lot of important life lessons from Barbara – lessons that were taught through the lens of skating, but that impacted them far away from the rink. Her skaters have said that Barbara taught them the value of hard work, dedication, preparedness, good sportsmanship, and consistency. They took these lessons to heart as skaters, students, businessmen and women, parents, and some of them, coaches. Most of all, they described Barbara as a caring and loving person.

Barbara was predeceased by her husband John. She is survived by her three children: John “Jack” (Caryn) Dayney, Randy Dayney, Robin (Andy) DiMarino and eight grandchildren: April (John) Jacobson, Justin (Danielle) Dayney, Jennifer Dayney, Jaime (James) Nuzzi, Jennifer (Jesse) Wachs, Jill (Brian) Nevin, Dan (Marianna) DiMarino and Nick DiMarino. She was blessed to have 12 great grandchildren and another on the way.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice.

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Following the service at the funeral home,

the interment at the cemetery will be private (family only).

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