Obituary of Barbara A. Runyan

Barbara “Missy” Runyan passed away unexpectedly at her home in Hunter, New York on the morning of October 6th at the age of 51.
Missy is predeceased by her grandmother Rita Runyan, her uncle Robert Runyan, and her mother Patricia Runyan. She is survived by her loving husband David LoVerde of 22 years. They were married in Windham, New York on April 24th, 1999. She is lovingly remembered by her son Michael Runyan, her brother Michael Runyan, her sister-in-law Tina Runyan, and her nieces Stephanie Ferraro, Ashley Runyan and Kelly Runyan, along with all of her feathered and furry friends and hardworking volunteers.
Missy was born in Roslyn, New York on August 26th, 1970. She graduated Sewanhaka High School in 1988. She went on to waitress at various diners across Long Island, Smileys in Tannersville and Selena’s Diner in Haines Falls, New York. On the side, Missy was always taking in injured domestic and wild animals rehabilitating them and bringing them back to their owners or back into the wild. In 2002, she decided to start up her own non-for-profit organization known as the Friends of the Feathered and Furry Wildlife Center. This organization was her pride and joy, she dedicated her whole life and energy into rehabilitating these animals. Her true perseverance showed through how big her organization had grown and how much she had taught the entire community of not only Hudson Valley but New York State.
She enjoyed spending time with her loving family and friends, cherishing every moment she got to spend with them, living life to the absolute fullest, taking care of all her animals, and educating everyone around her about keeping the wildlife safe and letting the wild be wild.
The funeral service will be held at Decker Funeral Home; 5312 NY-23, Windham, NY 12496 on Tuesday October 12th, 2021 from 5pm to 8pm.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to continue Missy’s dream of rehabilitating the wildlife is encouraged to be made to the Friends of the Feathered and Furry Wildlife Center. Please feel free to donate however you want to them or find the fundraiser at Gofundme.com – “Keep Missy’s Dream Going”   https://gofund.me/c7659e5e