Barbara Ann Townsend Cromwell was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on September 3, 1933. She was the daughter of Earl Francis and Wilhelmina Matthes Townsend. She moved to Pocomoke City, Maryland, in 1936 with her family.

As a child, Barbara was a member of the Episcopal Church of St. Mary the VirginEpiscopal Church, in Pocomoke City, Maryland.

Her many summers were spent at Camp Wright on the Chesapeake Bay where she was both a camper and counselor. She won awards for swimming and archery. Friendships were forged that lasted a lifetime.

Barbara graduated from Pocomoke High School in 1951 where she was the Valedictorian of her class. She was also awarded the Old Home Prize given to the best all-around student.

She then entered Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland. Mrs. Cromwell was actively involved in campus life. She was a member of the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority and held campus offices. Barbara was inducted into the Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities. She pursued a degree in history and graduated with honors in 1955.

Barbara Townsend met her husband, George T. Cromwell at Washington College.They were wed on July 31, 1955. After George's honorable discharge from the Navy, the couple moved to Severna Park, Maryland.

Mrs. Cromwell taught in the Anne Arundel County public schools and her teaching career was one she truly enjoyed. They were members of Saint Martin's in the Field Episcopal Church, where Barbara was on the Altar Guild and served as Chair of the kindergarten board.

With several of their college friends living nearby, George and Barbara maintained their ties to Washington College. While she was more active, her husband quietly supported all of her projects. In addition to serving on several occasions as Reunion Chair, Barbara was a dedicated member, Co-Chair and Chair of the chapter relations committee, and eventually served as President of the Alumni Council. She served with distinction on the Washington College Board of Visitors and Governors between 1980-1986, where she was named an emerita member of the Board. She was appointed as the first Chair of the George Washington Society, the College's planned giving society. In 2004, she received the Amy Harris Robbins Award, given by Zeta Tau Alpha, in recognition of community service. In 2008, Mrs. Cromwell received the Alumni Service Award. The following year, Barbara was inducted into Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK), the national leadership honor society: though she was highly qualified for membership as an undergraduate, ODK did not accept women into their ranks at the time. In 2020, she was awarded the Gold Pentagon Award by ODK in recognition of meritorious service to Washington College. The newest academic building and the Center for Teaching & Learning at Washington College bears her name and that of her late husband George.

In addition to her support of Washington College, Barbara championed many causes and charitable institutions, particularly those focused on education, medicine and history. She was an enthusiastic supporter of the world-renowned programs in neonatal care and Lyme Disease research at Johns Hopkins University, including endowing the Barbara Townsend Cromwell Professor in Lyme Disease and Tick borne Illness. At Anne Arundel Medical Center, she served on the board of Auxiliary and as Co-Chair of the Medical Library Board. Mrs. Cromwell funded the Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Suite at Anne Arundel Medical Center in 2018. At the Severn School, she funded the Barbara and George' 49 Cromwell Centennial Rotunda and the new Lower School, which will be dedicated as the George ’49 and Barbara Cromwell Lower School of Severn School.

Barbara Ann Townsend Cromwell's life was one of service to her family, her community and her alma mater. A memorial service will be held at St. Martin’s in the Field, 375 Benfield Rd Severna Park, MD 21146. at 10:30am on June 9, 2026. She will be interred at St.Mary the Virgin Episcopal Church, her childhood church, in Pocomoke City, where her parents are also buried. Her late husband, who predeceased her in 2015, was honored with a military burial at sea.

In lieu of flowers, contributions are suggested to any of the following: Washington College for the Cromwell Center for Teaching & Learning or to The Barbara T. and George T. Cromwell Hall at Washington College; The Barbara Townsend Cromwell Professor to direct for the Lyme Disease Research Center of Johns Hopkins University; or The George and Barbara Cromwell Lower School of Severn School.