Barbara D. Bain of Cornwall, NY, passed away on September 19 th . Barbara was born in 1932 in Ogden, Utah, to the late John Rex Dibble and Elda Wilson Dibble. She is survived by her sister Toni Parker; her son Andrew Bain; her daughter Gretchen Matthews and son-in-law Mike; her ex-husband Mark; her grandchildren: Gabriella and Sonia; her cousin Elinor and family; her niece Kelli and family; and her nephews: Eric and family and Marc and family.
Barbara grew up in the Altadena/Pasadena, California area, with a few years in other locations during World War II when her father served in the US Army. After the war, the family returned to Pasadena where Barbara graduated from the Westridge School; she then attended Pomona College, graduating in 1954 with a degree in English Literature.
After a few years of library work in southern California, Barbara moved to Berkeley and worked in the office of the President of the University of California. It was in Berkeley that she met Mark, and they were married in 1958. Eventually they moved to Anderson, California, and soon they welcomed their first child Andrew, and then their daughter Gretchen.
In the following years they moved to Chico, where Barbara studied psychology and eventually completed her Master’s Degree.
Barbara enjoyed raising her children in California. After Gretchen was married and settled in Missouri, Barbara followed Gretchen and Mike to Missouri, then later to Georgia and then at last to Cornwall, New York. Barbara welcomed each move with an adventurous spirit and enjoyed exploring her new home states.
Barbara is remembered for her sweetness, kindness, sense of humor, and her love of her family. She was immensely proud of her children and loved many cats and dogs throughout her life. She was a talented writer and shared family stories and history in her remembrances. She was also passionate about protecting the environment and inspired Andy’s interest in environmental science and a career in its protection. She inspired Gretchen to follow in her footsteps at Pomona College and to become a lifelong reader and writer. Barbara also impressed her family by learning German – she was first inspired by German songs while as a member of the Pomona College Glee Club, and then in her later years she began learning the language so she could study Rudolph Steiner’s writings in both English and German. In Cornwall she is remembered for her daily exercise routine, first at Curves and then at Anytime Fitness, as well as taking care of the plants at the Idlewild Creek apartments, and she is fondly remembered by friends at the 2 Alices Coffee Lounge.
The family is grateful to all the caregivers and staff at Taconic Rehabilitation and Nursing at Beacon for the support and tender loving care they gave Barbara for the past five years.
A family memorial celebration and inurnment will be held in Columbia, SC later this fall.
Arrangements are entrusted to Quigley-Sullivan Funeral Home, Inc.; to send condolences, please go to www.Quigleybros.com.
In Barbara’s memory we suggest you walk with a friend; learn to play the guitar; rescue a dog or cat and shower them with love; donate to a charity, especially those that protect the environment; send cards and letters to your family and friends; and hug your children and grandchildren.