Barbara Gavin Fauntleroy
Fauntleroy, Barbara Gavin, of Ridgefield, CT, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, December 6th, at the age of 87. She is survived by her husband, Clarence "Clancy" Fauntleroy and by her children, Barbara Fauntleroy Howard, Steven Fauntleroy and James Fauntleroy, her grandchildren, Bill Fuller, Justin Fauntleroy and Thomas Fauntleroy and great granddaughter, Aria James Fuller. She is also survived by her sisters, Caroline Gavin McNeill, Patricia Gavin Cincotta, Marjorie Gavin Lewis and Chloe Gavin Beatty.
Barbara was born in Washington, DC in 1933 to Irma Baulsir Gavin and Lt. General James Maurice Gavin, who commanded the 82nd Airborne Division during WWII. His postings took them all over the world. She attended The Sidwell Friends School in Washington, DC, Cornell University, and The George Washington University.
As a wife and mother, she was active in everything from co-creating a cooperative preschool to the League of Women Voters, and a career at Abbott Laboratories, but her main dedication was to the veteran paratroopers of the 82nd. She traveled many times, often with her family, to Normandy, France and Nijmegen, The Netherlands, to attend ceremonies honoring her father and the courageous young men who followed him into battle. Known as "The Daughter of the 82nd" she was an Honorary Life Member of the 82nd Airborne Division Association and attended many events, including the annual D-Day ceremony at West Point where General Gavin is buried. Her book "The General & His Daughter" was composed of excerpts from the more than 200 letters General Gavin wrote her spanning from Ft. Bragg in 1943 to New York City's victory parade in 1946.
Barbara and Clancy retired first to New Canaan, Connecticut, and then to Ridgefield. A service in her memory will be held at a future date at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in New Canaan. Donations in her memory may be made to the Education Fund of the 82nd Airborne Division Association, PO Box 87482, Fayetteville, NC 28304.