Barbara Balch Colt

Barbara Balch Colt, 90, longtime feminist and activist, died on September 10, 2025. She was the loving-and beloved-wife of Timothy ("Tim") Pickering Colt for sixty-seven years, who survives her. Barbara is also survived by her devoted children, Elizabeth Colt (Kent Fields) of Warwick, Cynthia Colt (Sid Fernando) of Tampa, FL, Timothy P. Colt, Jr. (Lisa Sherman Colt) of Los Angeles, CA, and Jonathan B. Colt of Cranston; her brother, Richard H. Balch, Jr. (Judy) of Fredericksburg, VA; six grandchildren, Nicholas and Sarah Colt, Joseph Fernando, and Chase, Maximilian, and Cary Fields; and four great-grandchildren. Her beloved grandson Johnny Fernando predeceased her, as did her brother James Balch and her sister, Cynthia Barns.

The daughter of Richard H. and Elizabeth (Prescott) Balch, Barbara was born and raised in Utica, NY. After attending public school in Utica, she matriculated at the Emma Willard School, in Troy, NY, graduating in 1953, and then Mt. Holyoke College, in South Hadley, MA, graduating in 1957. She married Tim Colt in 1958. Tim and Barbara settled in Warwick, RI, in 1966, when Tim accepted a position at the then Providence Journal-Bulletin. Early on and despite having four young children, Barbara completed her course work in Urban Planning, at the University of Rhode Island.

Barbara had a deeply rooted interest in politics and public service, and, in 1972, she ran for and won a seat on the Warwick City Council, as a Democrat in a largely Republican ward. She served on the Council for four years, and, as the only woman councilor during her tenure, was dubbed by the Warwick Beacon as the Council's "fiscal watchdog." In an entirely different vein, she took on then Mayor Joseph Walsh in a public forum-the tennis court-in a Bobbie Riggs/Billie Jean King-esque match-and won! After leaving the Council in 1977, Barbara remained active in politics and worked tirelessly on several campaigns as a foot soldier, strategist, mentor, and fiscal advisor.

Barbara was ahead of her time and a force to be reckoned with. As early as the late 1960s and affiliated with several organizations, including the National Women's Political Caucus, Barbara lobbied tirelessly to earn and protect women's reproductive choices. To that end, she sat on the Board of the 2:1 Coalition to Preserve Choice and Planned Parenthood of Rhode Island, serving as President of the latter for several years. More recently, Barbara had devoted significant time as an advisor, mentor, and sounding-board to The Womxn Project, the mission of which is to secure reproductive freedom, gender equity, and LGBTQ+ rights in Rhode Island.

Barbara also believed firmly in affordable health care and housing. As Executive Director of the Rhode Island Community Health Centers, she worked tirelessly to create the Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island, a not-for-profit health maintenance organization. She retired from her position as Executive Director in 2001. Barbara also served on the Board of the Women's Development Corporation for more than thirty years, sometimes as its Treasurer. Her other commitments included a long tenure on the Rhode Island Costal Resources Management Council and the Board of Directors of Butler Hospital.

Barbara was not all business all the time. After her retirement, she and Tim travelled widely. Barbara loved the beach and no trip to the beach was complete without a stop for ice cream. She read voraciously and was an avid knitter: Grandchildren were a good reason to knit lovely sweaters and holiday hats. She also joined the Handicraft Club (eventually taking over as its Treasurer) and shared with family and friends her painted and stenciled works and her needlepoint creations. She loved the Rhode Island Philharmonic and live theatre.

Last, but certainly not least, Barbara was devoted to her family and a loyal friend. She was always ready to celebrate something-a first step, a graduation, a birthday, a holiday, or a sunny day-particularly if it included chocolate. She shared with all who came into her orbit a great smile, a distinctive laugh, and a dry wit. She will be missed.

Her Committal Service is entrusted to THE URQUHART-MURPHY FUNERAL HOME and will be private. Barbara's family will plan a Celebration of Her Life for a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Planned Parenthood at weareplannedparenthoodaction.org or The Womxn Project, ATTN: Jocelyn Foye, Executive Director, 301 Harris Avenue, Providence, RI 02909 or online at thewomxnproject.org.