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Barbara Capece Humphreys, 82, Shore ice cream matriarch remembered for her generosity

A beloved shop owner has died, leaving a void as Memorial Day weekend arrives

Barbara Humphreys
Barbara HumphreysRead moreFamily photo

Barbara Capece Humphreys, the beloved owner of Springer's Homemade Ice Cream in Stone Harbor, was known to have the best scoop in the region and she was also known for her kindness to employees and customers alike.

In the industry, Mrs. Humphreys was so popular that when she went to trade conferences she was crowded by others clamoring to learn how she and her husband, Neil, built such a successful business, said the couple's daughter, Mary Humphreys Goldenthal.

"She just did her job and she did it well consistently," Humphreys Goldenthal said. "She was kind to her employees and customers. It was luck, hard work, and a great attitude."

On Monday, May 22, Mrs. Humphreys, 82, died from injuries she received in a car accident, her daughter said. Her husband was seriously injured and is recovering in a rehabilitation facility in Pennsylvania.

It's unclear exactly what happened May 18. According to Humphreys Goldenthal, the couple had spent the day together and after going out to dinner they needed a spare key for their home. They arrived unexpectedly at their daughter's home in Chesterbrook, Pa. Neil Humphreys believes he accidentally put his car in reverse instead of park. He called to his wife for help when the vehicle rolled back onto him. Chaos ensued. Based on a neighbor's account, Mrs. Humphreys lost control of the vehicle while trying to help her husband. She was thrown from the car and suffered a head injury, her daughter said.

We are heartbroken to share that Springer's lost its matriarch tonight. Barbara Humphreys, an owner of Springer's since…

Posted by Springer's Homemade Ice Cream on Monday, May 22, 2017

The couple, married nearly 56 years, bought Springer's in 1975. Although they were living in Virginia at the time, Neil Humphreys saw opportunity in the business, which had been around since Prohibition. The family became the third owners and they had no experience with ice cream.

Both, however, had a business background. They met in typing class while going to Drexel University. Neil Humphreys continued his education at the Wharton School. Mrs. Humphreys taught typing at the high school level until 1962.

After purchasing Springer's, the Humphreys learned the business with help from the previous owners. Mrs. Humphreys also took a six-week course at the University of Maryland, learning how to process dairy to make ice cream.

The business had a strong customer base and the Humphreys maintained its popularity, with long lines often stretching from Third Avenue around the block.

"It became the cornerstone for everything, for our family and extended family," said Humphreys Goldenthal, now general manager of the business. In recent years, Mrs. Humphreys spent less time at the shop and more time with her grandchildren as her daughters became more involved with the business. The couple's daughter Gloria Rigney is a teacher in Michigan and spends part of her summers working at Springer's.

Their brother, Paul Humphreys, who had a long military career after graduating from West Point, visits with his family as often as he can.

Since the death was announced, hundreds of friends, customers, and employees have posted on Facebook, some sharing happy memories of Mrs. Humphreys and the ice cream shop.

Springer's manager Seneca Leiti has worked for the Humphreys for eight years. Leiti said during an interview Thursday that Mrs. Humphreys was generous and kind. The Humphreys had an apartment behind the shop and Mrs. Humphreys rarely missed a day there, she said.

Mrs. Humphreys was a member of the National Ice Cream Retailers Association, where she spoke at conventions and had earned the respect of those across the country, Leiti said.

Humphreys Goldenthal said she saw another side of her mother when they attended the conferences together. "It was kind of like being with a rock star. Everyone knew her and wanted to talk to her."

Springer's has more than 50 flavors. Leiti said most were recipes Mrs. Humphreys developed, or were taste-tested by her after others came up with new flavors.

"To work with her was an absolute privilege," Leiti said. "She didn't just know the names of employees, she knew their families and their stories also."

In the case of manager Jeffrey Payne, who is coming up on his seventh summer working there while attending college, "Mrs. H" always asked about his family. His mother worked at the shop as well. His favorite flavor is vanilla with peanut butter brownie, a treat he said he often enjoyed at the end of a shift.

Going to work, he said, was fun because of the employees and the light atmosphere the Humpherys created. Humphreys Goldenthal said her parents took modest amounts of money from the business, instead reinvesting to purchase new equipment or whatever was needed. They also gave generous employee bonuses, recognizing their hard work.

Mrs. Humphreys was known to mingle with the customers as well. The shop will be closed Wednesday for Mrs. Humphreys' services, but will otherwise remain open.

Mrs. Humphreys was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints since 1973, generously volunteering her time and resources for others.

In addition to her husband, three children and five grandchildren, Mrs. Humphreys is survived by one sister.

Visitation is scheduled for Wednesday, May 31, at 9 to 11 a.m. with a service to follow at the the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 2530 Stinson Lane, Norristown. Interment will be at the Philadelphia Memorial Park, Malvern. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Humphery's memory to Volunteers in Medicine or to Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital. Condolences may be posted online at Alleva Funeral Home.