Barbara Juanita Dyko

Barbara Juanita Dyko, 83, passed away peacefully on December 2, 2025, after a brief illness. Over the course of her long and fulfilling life, Barb was a scientist, college professor, health inspector, nurse, and beloved mom, sister, aunt, and grandma.

The oldest child of Henry and Doris (Holmes) Dyko, Barb was born on May 20,1942, and spent her childhood on a farm in Fowlerville, Michigan, where she developed a lifelong passion for gardening. She was always happiest outdoors, whether that be in her magnificent garden at home; the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, where she completed her doctoral dissertation; the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, where she completed a post-doctoral fellowship; or Maryland’s Patuxent Research Refuge, where she spent many happy days volunteering later in life.

Barb was known for her independence, keen sense of adventure, and kindness to others. She was proud of her educational accomplishments, including a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University, a master’s degree from Iowa State University (where she met her husband, David), and a PhD from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. Barb was a lifetime member of the Girl Scouts and passionate about helping girls and women achieve their potential. She loved teaching and mentoring others and always wanted to be helpful—often pitching in unasked wherever she saw a need.

While Alzheimer’s disease sadly stole so much from Barb in her last years, she never lost her love for nature and the woods, her delight in all the wonders of the world, and her deep and unconditional love for her daughter and grandsons. She was an inveterate storyteller and always on the move. Those who knew her will miss her joyful enthusiasm and quirkiness.

Barb is predeceased by her husband, David Faxlanger; parents, Doris and Henry Dyko; one brother, Henry M. Dyko; and a niece, Tonya Rectenwal. She is survived by her daughter, Alexandra Trachtman (Daniel); beloved grandsons, Evan and Jonah Trachtman; two sisters, Roberta Christensen (Kurt) and Debra Dyko; a brother, Dennis Dyko (Sharon Gilson); and a niece, Ashley Martin (Eric).

A celebration of Barb’s life will be scheduled at a later date when family and friends can gather to remember and honor her. The family invites all who wish to honor Barb to do so through a donation to the Friends of Patuxent Research Refuge.