Barbara Lou CORNELIUS

CORNELIUS, Barbara Lou (Badertscher) Barbara Cornelius, 76, of West Hartford, passed away on Monday (August 30). Mrs. Cornelius suffered from late-onset Cerebellar Ataxia and Multiple System Atrophy, a rare degenerative brain disorder. She was born September 2, 1933 in Detroit, Michigan, the daughter of the late J. Richard Badertscher and Kathryn (Conver) Badertscher of Greenfield, Massachusetts. She was predeceased by her husband, H. Thomas Cornelius in November 2008 after more than 50 years of marriage. In addition to her husband she was predeceased by her sister, Mary McDonald Higgins of Florida. She is survived by her four children, Karen Cornelius and her husband, Carl Schecter, of New York, NY; Fred Cornelius of West Hartford; Susan Cornelius Hinderaker and her husband, James Hinderaker, of Weddington, NC; Craig Cornelius and his wife, Jennifer Hayes, of West Hartford. Barbara also leaves five grandchildren, Andrew Hinderaker, 23, Mark Hinderaker, 20, Kate Cornelius-Schecter, 20, Anna Cornelius-Schecter, 18, and Ashley Cornelius, 19; and ten nieces and nephews. Barbara attended the University of Massachusetts and graduated from the University of Michigan in 1955. She and her family came to West Hartford in 1962. Barbara lived in Sunset Farm, West Hartford for over twenty years. During her time there she wrote a "History of Sunset Farm, 1867-1993." Early in her career, she taught first grade and then raised four children. Her interests included antiques, local history, genealogy, and gardening. She was very active in the West Hartford Garden Club serving as President, Historian, Corresponding Secretary, Yearbook Chairman, and Treasurer. She also served on the West Hartford Historic District Commission. She was an avid duplicate bridge player and enjoyed watching classic movies and Red Sox games. The family would like to thank the staff at Duncaster, Hartford Hospital (Bliss 11) and Caleb Hitchcock Health Center for their compassion and care. Family and friends will be received Thursday, September 2 from 5-8 p.m. at Taylor & Modeen Funeral Home, 136 South Main Street in West Hartford. A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, September 3 at 10 a.m. the First Church of Christ Congregational, 12 South Main Street in West Hartford Center. Burial will follow the service at Fairview Cemetery, West Hartford. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made in Barbara's name to the Ataxia Foundation (www.ataxia.org), 2600 Fernbrook Lane, Minneapolis, MN 55447 or the Salvation Army.