Barbara Underwood

Barbara Underwood

Lancaster, NH - Barbara Underwood, 93, devoted mother, grandmother, and community leader, passed away peacefully on August 9 in Lancaster, New Hampshire.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, Barbara grew up in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, graduating from Manheim Township High School and Middlebury College (Class of 1954). She began her career in publishing in New York with Sports Illustrated at Time Inc. In 1960, she married Dr. David G. Underwood; they spent their first year in London before settling in Concord, New Hampshire, to raise their family.

In Concord, she was active in the League of Women Voters, served on the Ways & Means Committee in the New Hampshire Legislature, and helped stop construction of a massive coastal oil refinery. She also worked to preserve Concord's Old Post Office, now the Legislative Office Building, and served on the Concord City Council.

Later, Barbara worked for the Newport (Rhode Island) Historical Society, leading tours of the Breakers and other historic "cottages." She enjoyed many seasons in Sugar Hill, N.H., where she helped start the "Lupine Lunch on the Lawn."

She is survived by her three sons Geoffrey, Derek, Chip; their partners; and three granddaughters. Barbara will be remembered for her intellect, civic spirit, love of history, and devotion to her family.