BARBARA "BAR" KEPPEL

1916 - 2011

KEPPEL, BARBARA, "BAR"

Barbara H. Keppel, formerly of Montrose NY, passed away on September 24, 2011 in Merritt Island, FL. She was 95 years old. She was born on May 7, 1916 to Constance and Tracy Hoppin.

Barbara graduated from Vassar College in 1937, majored in Music and studied in Vienna, where she witnessed the Nazi invasion of Austria. She initially taught Music and later in life taught English at St. Mary's Episcopal School in Peekskill and substituted teaching French, Spanish and German in local schools. She was fluent in French and Spanish having learned these languages bringing up her family in Tunisia and South America while married to her husband David Keppel, a geologist. Her husband pre-deceased her in Montrose in 1967. She was also pre-deceased by her close sister and brother- in- law, Janet and Charles Keppel of Montrose and a brother, Phil Hoppin of Sanibel, FL.

Barbara had a large circle of friends when she lived in Montrose from 1965-2005. She was active in The Course in Miracles and its Project Non-Violence at Sing-Sing prison. She belonged to Friends of Music, The Philipstown Garden Club, the local Westchester and Garrison Audubon Societies and was a dedicated bird watcher.

When she moved to Merritt Island FL, she lived at an assisted living facility and maintained her interest in birding, playing Scrabble, Bridge and reading the NY Times. She was included in many activities of her daughter Janet and son-in-law David, who works at the Kennedy Space Center. She witnessed several launches of the Space Shuttle and met some of the Astronauts.

Barbara was very devoted to her children and grandchildren, teaching many of them to ski and play tennis. These were her favorite sports, and she participated in them until almost 80 years old. Earlier in her life she was an accomplished horsewoman.

Barbara had five children, a son (Geoffrey) died in 1974. Surviving are Prudence (Ivan) Kupka of Paris, France, Roger (Debbie) Keppel of Cold Spring, NY, Nini (Gary) Schouborg of Walnut Creek, CA and Janet (David) Andrews of Cocoa, FL. She is also survived by 11 grand-children and 15 great-grand children. Donations in memory of Barbara can be made to the National Audubon Society (www.audubon.org).