GREENSBORO – Barbara Lightfoot Woodward died peacefully in her home in Greensboro, December 9. She was 96 years old.
Barbara is predeceased by her husband, Tom Woodward Jr., married for 72 years, and survived by her children, Emilie, Tom III, Edie (Martie), grandson Tom, granddaughter-in-law Sara, great-grandson Miles, many dear extended family and friends and beloved cat, Bebe.
Barbara was born in Atlantic City, N.J., April 18, 1929, and attended Bryn Mawr College, where she met Tom, attending Haverford College, in 1950. The couple fell in love and married the day after Tom’s graduation in 1952.
Barbara’s career began in her twenties as a salesclerk at Scribner Book Store in New York. During Tom’s graduate studies she worked at Planned Parenthood in Cambridge, Mass., and also as a secretary in the education and English departments at Harvard University.
Barbara also taught students with disabilities at the Devereux School in Devon, Pa., and was a preschool and fourth grade teacher for several years. She devoted 20 years of her career as the director of college guidance at the Agnes Irwin School in Rosemont, Pa., during which time she published numerous papers and articles on education for young women. After dedicating her career to others for decades, Barbara and Tom retired in Greensboro in 1992.
During retirement, Barbara volunteered for the Craftsbury Chamber Players for 10 years. She also served on the board of trustees of the Greensboro Free Library and volunteered at the Greensboro Historical Society. Barbara and Tom had the great fortune to travel to warm places in the winter.
Barbara will be remembered for her cheery, outgoing nature, and kindness, strength and resilience. She relished sitting by the fire, immersing herself in a good book, and watching the sun set over the lake with Tom. And she loved her sherry.
The family wishes to extend deep gratitude to all of the many caregivers who loved Barbara as they helped her stay safe and healthy in her home to her final days, as she wished.
Services will take place at the Greensboro United Church of Christ at 165 Wilson St., Greensboro, Saturday, Aug. 1, at 10 a.m. Gifts in Barbara’s memory may be sent to the Greensboro Free Library at 51 East Craftsbury Road, Greensboro, VT 05841, or the St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church at 39 West Church St., Hardwick, VT 05843.
