In 1987, Barbara Quinby and her husband had recently relocated to Raleigh from Florida with their two children. She was working as a draftsperson for a building company, utilizing her degree in interior residential design
“When I heard Habitat had started around here, I just knew that was something I had to get involved with if the opportunity presented itself,” Barbara recalls.
Barbara was soon introduced to Rick Beech, the founder of Habitat Wake. At the time, the organization was still in its infancy. The first home had been completed in 1986, and plans were underway for a second.
“I told Rick about my skills, and he said, ‘Well, we’ve got construction plans for our second home, but it’s not configured properly for the family we’re trying to place in it. It’s a family of six kids and two parents. Do you think you could redraw it?’”
Barbara's response was immediate: “Yeah, that would be easy to redraw.”
She met with the future homeowners, Dorothy and Leon Smith, to understand their needs. The rental they were living in at the time had only one door and lacked running water. The home was riddled with leaks and drafts.
Inspired to make a change, Barbara got to work. First, she ensured the house had two exit doors for safety. Then, she made a personal addition to the plans.
“I grew up in a house that didn’t have any closets. As a designer and a mother myself, I knew what a big difference closets make in the way you live in a home. So, when I drew that house, I made sure each kid had their own closet. I’m sure the people building the house must have gone nuts — six little closets across the house — but I felt they were important.”
Months after completing the design, Barbara was invited to see the finished home. She walked inside and re-introduced herself to Dorothy.
“I said, ‘My name is Barbara. I don't know if you remember, but I drew your house plans.’ And with that, Dorothy threw her arms around me and said, ‘Thank you for giving me closets.’ I wasn’t expecting her to say that. I hadn’t told anyone about the closets; it was my secret present to them. But it was the first thing she said to me. In that moment, I knew it was God speaking directly through her because only God knew what it meant to me.”
Barbara’s work with Habitat Wake didn’t stop there.
She approached her parish, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, with the idea of sponsoring an entire home. Though she was new to the community, her enthusiasm was contagious. Over the next few years, she took on the monumental task of project-managing a full home.
“Back then, we had to do everything ourselves — raise the money, secure in-kind donations, and line up the trades."
The parish rallied, raising around $20,000 through bake sales, raffles, and silent auctions to fund the house. After securing the funds, Barbara moved on to the construction phase. At the time, Habitat Wake had no staff beyond Rick Beech, so volunteers took on the responsibility of managing all aspects of the build. Any construction project comes with its challenges, and the same was true for Barbara's project.
“That year, it rained continually. I lost a whole shoe in the mud one day. Construction was seriously on God’s time that year.” Barbara recalls.
After a few long years of fundraising and construction, a family of nine moved into their home in 1991.
If managing that project sounds life-changing, Barbara would agree:
“Project managing that house was a pivotal experience for me. It was a deeply spiritual time in my life."
Barbara remained a dedicated Habitat Wake supporter for decades, including time spent on the board. In the 2006, she earned a Master of Pastoral Studies in Spirituality and now works at Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral as Director of Human Life, Dignity, and Justice Ministries. As part of her thesis, she wrote about Dorothy Smith and the closets she designed.
Barbara’s journey with Habitat Wake began with a simple act of service, but it became a lifelong mission of compassion, advocacy, and faith in action. Her dedication has left a lasting mark on the families she’s helped and the community she’s uplifted. We're grateful for her vision, leadership, and unwavering belief in the power of home.
