Barbara Mariner Lounsbury

Monticello, NY

Formerly of Hurleyville, NY

Barbara Mariner Lounsbury, a lifelong resident of Sullivan County and a homemaker, of Monticello, passed away peacefully after a long illness on Monday, January 11, 2010 at the Sullivan County Adult Care Center in Liberty. She was 83.

Barbara was born in Monticello on September 17, 1926 to the late Freeman B. and Helen Mariner.

Barbara graduated from Monticello High School. During World War II, she worked as a telephone operator in Rochester, NY, while her fiancé, Jim, served in the Navy in the South Pacific. They married on April 27, 1946, and settled to raise their family in Hurleyville on Columbia Hill, near the Lounsbury family farm. Barbara was a constant in the Hurleyville Methodist Church for decades, organizing and managing countless church suppers, holiday festivities, flea markets, church school activities, and other fundraisers to support the church. "Aunt Barbara," as she was known to many, whether you were related or not, was an avid reader and rooted for the Yankees. Friends and family experienced her wonderful generosity in dozens of colorful afghan blankets and hundreds of pies and cakes she made for friends, family, and strangers. She and Jim spent their winters in sunny Florida for 25 years, where many more snowbirds received the fruits of her generosity. She and Jim celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary last year. We will miss you as dear wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend to all.

She is survived by her loving husband, Harry James (Jim) Lounsbury at home; two sons, James Lewis Lounsbury and his wife, Diana Clancy of Jacksonville, FL and Paul Richard Lounsbury and his wife, Kathy of Grahamsville; four granddaughters: Jill Woodruff and her husband, Gary of Springwater, NY, Cara Dillon and her husband, Brian of Harrisburg, NC, Ashley Spangenberg and her husband, Tyler of Gansevoort, NY, and Allison Buckingham and her husband, Grant of Cleburne, TX; and four great-grandchildren: Zoe Woodruff of Springwater, NY, and Jack and Caroline Spangenberg of Gansevoort, NY and Brian Dillon III of Harrisburg, NC; a brother, Freeman B. Mariner of Bothel, WA; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a son, Dennis Lee Lounsbury and two brothers, Wilfred B. Mariner and Ralph O. Mariner.

The family will receive friends today, Thursday, January 14, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at Ramsay's Funeral Home, 55 St. John St., Monticello.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 15, at 11 a.m. at Ramsay's Funeral Home. Rev. Paul Ruter will officiate. Burial will follow the services at Hurleyville Cemetery, Hurleyville.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sullivan County Pregnancy Support Center, PO Box 832, Liberty, NY 12754 or to the Hurleyville United Methodist Church, Hurleyville, NY 12747.

Arrangements by Ramsay's Funeral Homes, Inc., Monticello; 845-794-2700.