Barbara Mayne Schwemm

Barbara Mayne Schwemm died peacefully January, 13, 2022 at Pine Rock Manor in Warner, New Hampshire. Her death resulted from the effects of her prolonged struggle with dementia. She is survived by her husband of sixty-two years, Richard (Dick) Schwemm, of New London, New Hampshire and by three daughters: Heather Schwemm of Kennebunkport, Maine; Diane Schwemm (Eliot Young) of Boulder, Colorado; and Laura Schwemm of Wilton, Connecticut; and she is predeceased by her son-in-law Robert Hoch, who passed away in 2020. Barbara had six beloved grandchildren and recently became a great-grandmother. Born in Flushing, Queens, New York on March 7, 1937, Barbara was the second daughter of Joseph W Mayne and Dorothy Higgins Mayne. She grew up in Ridgewood, New Jersey and graduated from high school there before attending Mt Holyoke College, from which she received her BS degree in Chemistry. She married Dick on June 20, 1959. The couple lived for twenty-five years in Wilton, Connecticut, where they raised their three daughters. They moved to New London in 1997 following Dick’s retirement from IBM. Barbara was active in the affairs of the Mt Holyoke alumnae association and of the churches she attended. She and Dick were never without dogs, and for over twenty-five years, they pursued the pastime of raising, training, and showing Bearded Collies and Havanese. In New London, Barbara was a member of Caring Animal Partners, and she made scores of pet therapy visits to nursing homes and assisted living facilities in the area. An animal lover all her life, she always stood ready to support the cause of animal welfare. Plans for a memorial service have not yet been formalized. People who wish to honor Barbara’s memory are encouraged to contribute to the Alzheimer’s Association, 309 Waverley Oaks Road, Waltham, MA 02452 or the Upper Valley Humane Society, P.O.Box 789, Lebanon, NH 03766.