Susan C. Barnaby

Susan C. Barnaby

Tunbridge, VT — The loving heart of Susan C. Barnaby, age 63, of Tunbridge, VT stopped beating on Monday, April 26th, 2021 at the Jack Byrne Center in Lebanon, NH. She was surrounded by the love of her family.

Sue was born May 19, 1957 in Barre, VT, the daughter of David and Elaine (Hackett) Cilley. She attended Tunbridge Central School and graduated in 1975 from South Royalton High School in South Royalton, VT. At a very young age she knew she wanted to become a teacher. Sue continued her education at the College of St. Joseph the Provider in Rutland, VT and graduated in 1979 with a degree in Early Childhood and Special Education.

She taught at both Sharon Elementary School and Tunbridge Central School, then operated a daycare from her home caring for her nieces, nephews and local children. She worked at the Orange County Parent Child Center in Chelsea, VT until she received her "dream job" as an Early Childhood Interventionist for the Orange/Windsor School District. She made weekly school and home-daycare visits as the "Story Lady" and "Math Buddy,"—teaching with books, games, and toys—to help children experience the joy of learning and reading through play. She wrote the Kid Links newsletter, organized the annual banquet and delivered "Welcome Baby Bags" which were filled with children's books for new parents. In 2016 she was one of four people in the state to be recognized and receive the Let's Grow Kids "Early Childhood Super Hero" award.

She was married to her one true love, Gordon Barnaby of Tunbridge, VT, on the first day of summer, June 21, 1980—because in her words, she "wanted to be married on the longest day of the year." They lived in Tunbridge all their married life where they raised their two children. Sue loved being a mother and the time spent with her family! They enjoyed road trips through the years which included going to Walt Disney World, visiting family in Arkansas and most recently, a trip out West which included Yellowstone National Park.

In 1991 Gordon and Susan started a new business, the Corner Rail Fence Co. in Tunbridge, VT. They made and supplied fence posts and equipment to fence dealers. It was an opportunity for Gordon to work for himself, raise livestock and most importantly for Sue, have a flexible schedule for family while making a living. The company grew because of their committed teamwork and is now a thriving business.

Sue had a passion for books, reading, and the community, she enjoyed volunteer work and served as a trustee for the Tunbridge Library for many years and started the Children's Story Hour Program. She also wanted all community members to have the food they needed and volunteered at the SHARE program, Neighbors Helping Neighbors, the Tunbridge Food Shelf and Backpack Programs. She organized the annual Memorial Day bake sale and the town meeting community potluck.

She was a member of the Tunbridge Congregational Church, Parish Council and Outreach Committee. She was a Sunday school teacher for many years and helped organize the Easter breakfast, Children's Day service, summer Bible school camp and the Christmas pageant.

She was a member of the Tunbridge Recreation Assoc., Bone Builders, taught swimming lessons at the Tunbridge Pool, played softball and basketball. She was a member of the Ladies Aid and helped with the annual Chicken Pie Suppers. She was a cast member of the Tunbridge Civic Club Show where she danced, sang, and told jokes. She was a shareholder of the World's Fair, she served on the promotion committee and because of her passion for Vermont traditions and crafts enjoyed being the Supt. of Floral Hall for over 20 years.

She loved visiting her daughter Erin, in 2006, in Florence, Italy; her boat trip to the Island of Chebeague and Monhegan and seeing the sights during a bus trip to Washington D.C. with her husband, Gordon. But her favorite place to be was looking for seashells with her family on a beach in Ogunquit, Maine. Sue enjoyed playing bingo, crafts, camping, picnics at the Trout Pond, board games, dancing, cooking and trying new recipes, swimming, reading children's books, watching her family play sports and her husband coach basketball and being a caregiver for her mother, Elaine. The most loved activity in her life was the time and traditions spent with her family and friends.

She is survived by her husband, Gordon Barnaby of Tunbridge, VT; a son, Luke Barnaby of Tunbridge, VT; a daughter, Erin Barnaby of Burlington, VT; a brother, Dennis (Lisa) Cilley of Tunbridge, two sisters, Patricia (Wayne) Ladd of Chelsea, VT and Brenda Cilley and her boyfriend, Mike McArdle of Palm Beach Gardens, FL; an aunt, Joanne (Darrell) Chapman of New Port Richey, FL; cousins, Donald Chapman and Daniel (Melissa) Chapman; two sister-in-laws, Jean (Harlie) Parker of Chelsea, VT and Diane (Larry) Brock of Greenwood, AR; a brother-in-law, James (Kim) Barnaby of Warren, MA; seven nephews, eight nieces and many cousins. She is predeceased by her parents, David and Elaine Cilley.

A funeral service will be held on Sunday, May 2, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at the Pavilion Building on the Tunbridge Fairgrounds in Tunbridge, VT with Pastor Jennie Cook and Pastor Tom Harty officiating. A private burial will be held at the Spring Road Cemetery in Tunbridge, VT.

Because of Sue's dedication to children and learning, memorial contributions may be made to the Friends of the Tunbridge Library (for the creation of a welcoming outdoor space that promotes play and learning), P.O. Box 9, Tunbridge, VT 05077. A private message of sympathy for the family can be shared at www.boardwayandcilley.com. Arrangements are under the direction of the Boardway & Cilley Funeral Home in Chelsea, VT.