Barbara V. Gent

MIDDLEBURY - Barbara Vinal Gent died on December 10, 2015, at The Residence at Otter Creek in Middlebury following a brief illness. Born July 30, 1922, in Lewiston, Maine, she was the daughter of Frances (Turgeon) and Daniel Wiggin.
Barb graduated from Smith College in 1944 and taught English at St. Margaret's School (VA) and Dana Hall School (MA), and later earned her Master's from Trinity College in Hartford, CT.
In 1949, Barb married Calvin B. Vinal II of Vinalhaven, Maine. They raised their two children in Rocky Hill, CT, where Barb was a mother, homemaker and family gardener, active in various local organizations, and served on the school board. She and Cal were founding members of the Church of St. Andrew the Apostle in Rocky Hill, where she was director of the altar guild.
Following Cal's death in 1964, Barb returned to her passion of teaching English, first at Rocky Hill High School, and later at Watkinson School in Hartford, CT, where she also served as the first Dean of Girls when it became co-ed. In 1967, she began spending summers in Harpswell, Maine, in her beloved "Green Cottage," ensuring her children and their families would share their parents' coastal Maine roots.
In 1973, Barb married Raymond A. Gent of Wethersfield, CT. She stopped teaching and he soon shared her love of Maine. In the 1980s, they began wintering in Venice, Florida. After Ray died in 1994, Barb claimed her legal residence as the Green Cottage. She also maintained a condo in Brunswick, ME, and spent winters in Florida until 2009.
Barb was actively involved in The Episcopal Church, largely through her work with the National Altar Guild Association, which honored her with life membership. Barb co-authored The Altar Guild Book and The New Altar Guild Book, and in 2006, published a history of NAGA's first 73 years. She was an active member in churches wherever she lived and was a sought-after speaker at state and local altar guild meetings.
Barb enthusiastically supported many Maine causes and was an avid genealogist and family historian. In later years, she educated herself about current issues, such as AIDS, social justice and white privilege.
Barbara is survived by her two children, Calvin B. Vinal III of North Branford, CT, and Frances Vinal Farnsworth of Brandon, VT. She also is survived by seven grandchildren, and stepsons Timothy and Christopher Gent and their families.
Memorial contributions may be sent to organizations representing her three passions: (Maine) The Nature Conservancy (Maine Chapter), 14 Maine St., Suite 401, Brunswick, Maine 04011; (Church) NAGA Endowment Fund, Marcia Himes, 45 Fairview Circle, Riverton, WY 82501; (Education) Watkinson School (Barbara Gent Gift Fund), 180 Bloomfield Ave., Hartford, CT 06105. The funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 16, at 2 p.m. at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Middlebury.