Barbara (Bobi) Kline Mentzer Eldridge

1/14/1936 – 07/22/2025
Bobi was born January 14, 1936, in Melrose Park PA, a suburb of Philadelphia. She was the  daughter of Hess & Helyn Kline, and sister to Denise Jo Levy.
Bobi was always a talented artist and creative force. She attended Walnut Hill School, Briarcliff College, Beaver College for her BA, and Hahnemann University Hospital for her master’s degree in creative art therapy (MA). Bobi also donated one of her pieces to the Cape Cod Museum of Art for their permanent collection.
As an accomplished athlete, Bobi excelled in tennis, softball and golf, she loved her Red Sox!
Bobi’s true passion was traveling far and wide, fueling and quenching her exploratory spirit! When Bobi stood still long enough, she was often found at the Snow Library, for which she was an active board member and archivist. Through a donation from the Hess & Helyn Kline Foundation in 2000, the H.K. Cummings Collection was restored. Bobi’s passion to share the collection with the public led to multiple exhibits and published books.
Bobi’s other interests and accolades included the creation of the “Cape Cod Seafest” (a promotion of underutilized sea species), and volunteering at the Orleans Council on Aging, where she created an art program for the Day Center. Bobi also worked at the May Institute in Chatham, MA in the 1970’s. Her passion then was to work with and counsel autistic adults through their drawings. She touched many hearts during this time, making a difference and noticeable progress with the adults she dearly cared for. Bobi’s next venture had her working for the Coast Guard, counseling children when one or both parents were on active duty. The program enabled her to travel to states as far away as Kodiak, Alaska, amongst others.
Throughout all of this she maintained a constant love of painting seascapes and landscapes. Bobi’s first love had been and remained photographing people…that’s where she felt the most connected. Bobi’s camera bag, artist brushes and canvas were always nearby. Every June, Bobi made the 15-hour journey to her summer cottage getaway and awaiting studio on Prince Edward Island. She would pack for her trip in April for a June departure from Orleans to PEI. So excited for her trip, she would complete the trip in one day, driving alone. Winter months were spent in Tortola, BVI and Dominica, documenting the fishing trade and indigenous people of the islands. Her tools of choice were her Minolta camera and Kodak film! She established and fostered lifelong connections throughout her travels.
Bobi was a pioneer, and she touched so many. She will be dearly missed by those who experienced the gift of her presence.
  Bobi is survived by her daughter Jennifer Mentzer, sons Gregory Mentzer (Wendy Dunford) and Christopher Mentzer (Lisa), granddaughters Alyssa Williams (Pat), Krista Mentzer (Mike Ambruster), great-granddaughters Olivia, Elle and Mia Williams, daughter Pam Bergman, grandchildren Jessica Bergman (Alex Moore) and Toby Bergman (Odessa Whitman).
  Our heartfelt thanks go out to the staff at Maplewood Assisted Living, and Broadreach Liberty Commons Memory Care and Hospice staff for their incredible care. Bobi’s best friend Holly Michaud and her husband Peter were true angels to Bobi and our family. We can never thank them enough for the love and care they showed her.
Milo, Bobi’s beloved Bichon, was truly the last love of her life!
  In lieu of flowers, contributions to Snow Library of Orleans, Orleans Council on Aging, or the Alzheimer’s Family Circle
  A celebration of life will be held later this fall.