Barbara J. Dill

Barbara Jones Dill

November 19, 1943 – July 23, 2025

Barbara Jones Dill, of Durham, New Hampshire, passed away peacefully on July 23, 2025, under the extraordinary care and compassion of the Carriage Hill Assisted Living community and Wentworth Hospice, with family visiting and caring for her daily. Barbara's life was deeply rooted in community, family, and purpose.

Born in Phoenix, Arizona, on November 19, 1943, Barbara moved across the country at the age of two with her mother, Katherine Pitrat Jones, and her Aunt Ruthie. They settled in Philadelphia to await the return of her father, William Arrott Jones, who had been held in a German POW camp in World War II. One of his most treasured memories was the sight of young Barbara waiting behind the screen door of their home on Bryn Mawr Avenue, welcoming him home from the war. He recalled they immediately went for ice cream together, and he was surprised at how neatly she ate it, not losing a drop.

Barbara's teen years were spent in Philadelphia, where she attended the Baldwin School and lived with her grandparents, and spent summers with her family in Bay Head and Chatham. There were summer adventures with younger cousins in tow, and beloved family camping trips all over the country. Ultimately, the family settled in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It was in their Fox Chapel neighborhood where a new neighbor - ironically named Barbara S. Dill - introduced her to her son, Frederick W. Dill. After his graduation from Union College, and the completion of her first year at Connecticut College, they married, and soon started a family.

Together, Barbara and Freddie raised their family in South Berwick, Maine, where Fred was a teacher of English at Berwick Academy, and later in Needham, Massachusetts. Their home was always filled with music--both were talented musicians. Barbara particularly loved to play classical piano, and her children loved to listen. In Needham, Barbara became a familiar voice through her column in The Needham Times. After Freddie's illness and passing in 1975, Barbara navigated life's challenges with her creativity and resilience, supported by devoted friends and family.

A gifted artist, writer, and designer, Barbara earned a certificate in graphic design from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design. She built a successful freelance business from home-her dining room transformed into a studio filled with rulers, T-squares, spray adhesive, paints, markers, pencils and her enormous orange drafting table (later she was among the first to dabble in desktop publishing software developed by Apple). In 1982, she joined Wheaton College as College Designer, a role she embraced for 30 years. Her creativity, professionalism, and warm presence left a lasting imprint on the Wheaton community until her retirement in 2012.

When her children graduated high school, Barbara moved from Needham to Harwich, Massachusetts, to be closer to her parents. There, she continued working at Wheaton while cultivating her love of family, gardening, and sailing. She cared for her parents in their final months and days.

In 2013, after retiring, she relocated to Durham, New Hampshire, to be near family in Madbury and Newburyport. Barbara quickly became an engaged member of her new community, serving on the Durham Planning Board and forming deep friendships, especially within her cherished book group. Friends spoke of her "indomitable spirit"-a phrase that truly captured her essence.

Barbara found purpose in every stage of her life, perhaps none greater than in being a grandmother to her nine grandchildren. Her home was her sanctuary-nurtured with love, creativity, and endless projects.

She leaves behind a legacy of strength, imagination, compassion, environmental stewardship, social justice and community-a life deeply and beautifully lived.

Barbara was predeceased by her brother, Charles "Chalk Dear" Jones (Maia), and by her dear friend and companion, Bill Kwiatkowski. She is survived by her younger brother, Bill "Goat" Jones (Debi) of Pittsburgh; and her three children: Rebecca "Becky" Dill (Ken Okaya) of Newburyport, MA; Charles "Casey" Dill (Jennifer Burns) of Pittsburgh, PA; and Jessie "Sassy" Dill Jakobs (Peter Jakobs) of Madbury, NH. She is survived by her grandchildren: Isabel Okaya (Sam Revell), Sawyer Dill, Malcolm Okaya, Stella Okaya, Charlotte Cousins, Troy Jakobs, Jackson Dill, Kira Jakobs, and Lyle Cousins; and her dear niece Kate Leatherby (Adam) and nephew Billy Jones (Laura), and great nephew, Charlie Jones. An animal lover who created a home for many cats, dogs, goats and chickens over the years, she is also survived by her famously charcoal-colored mutt, Rufus.

A memorial service will be held on September 13 at the Community Church of Durham in Durham, NH. Details to follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly suggests the following memorial donation ideas:

Wheaton College, Office of Advancement, 26 E. Main Street, Norton, MA 02766 - give.wheatoncollege.edu, or their favorite local public broadcasting station.