Barbara Alice Fontaine

South Kingstown - Barbara Alice Fontaine peacefully passed away at the South Kingstown Nursing and Rehabilitation Center on October 6, 2025 where she had resided since 2022.

Born in Woonsocket in 1935 to the late John Nelson and Alice Hackett Fontaine, she spent her formative years in North Smithfield, where she was educated in the public schools. She then graduated from the former St. Clare High School, after which she earned credentials as a medical technician. These skills enabled her to work full-time to support her education at Brown University, leading to an AB in chemistry in 1959.

After graduation, she worked as a science librarian for Brown University before beginning her career as an educator. First, at Lincoln School (Providence) and later at public schools in Massachusetts and New York. Along the way, she earned an MA from Wesleyan University.

Heeding the call of President Kennedy, she volunteered for the Peace Corps. She served in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, as a teacher and in curriculum development.

After decades as a secondary school teacher, she earned a law degree from Pace University. So began her second career as an attorney. After service under the RI Attorney General, Barbara settled into several decades of private practice in Washington County, Rhode Island. Enthralled by the sea since childhood, she lived near the ocean in East Matunuck.

She was an enthusiastic contract bridge player, often playing in the same circles as her late brother Walter.

Barbara was a world traveler, visiting every continent but Antarctica. She was deeply appreciative of the arts, especially music and theatre.

Barbara lived a life committed to the ideals of social justice and unselfish service to others. Her generous spirit was well known and respected, as evidenced by her assumption of the parental role for her younger siblings upon the death of their parents in 1964.

Barbara is survived by three brothers: Roy Fontaine (Williamsport, PA), Robert Fontaine (Columbia, MD) and Richard Fontaine (Mansfield, MA), as well as several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by brothers John Fontine, Jr. (Marietta, GA) and Walter Fontaine (North Providence, RI).

After cremation, Barbara's ashes will be scattered in a private ceremony attended by close family.