Barbara Seidel Mead

Barbara Seidel Mead was born in August 1930 in NY City and moved to Troy, NY as a young child when her father received a promotion with the US Postal Service. She graduated from Troy High in 1948 with honors and went on to NY State Teachers College at Oneonta, graduating in 1952 with a degree in home economics. While at Oneonta, she met her future husband James Gordon Mead of Beacon, NY whom she married in 1953. Barbara always loved to sew and made her own wedding dress.
After graduating from Oneonta, Barbara worked for the Wappingers Central School District as a school nutritionist and home economics teacher. During the summer of 1957, while pregnant with their son, she helped her husband build their house on Michael Drive in the Town of Wappingers Falls. The young family moved into the house just before Christmas that year with the interior walls still unpainted.
After giving birth to her son, Barbara became a full-time Mom. She also put her creativity and talents for cooking, sewing, gardening and decorating to good use. This helped stretch her husband's teaching salary and made for a cheerful, bright, nurturing home. Later she would return to work at the pre-school program at St. John's Lutheran Church in Poughkeepsie.
Barbara and her husband, Jim, loved to travel, first driving across the USA in the summer of 1955. The family would later do 4, month-long trips around the country in the early 1970's - enjoying visits to many parks, monuments, historic sites and cities along the way. Barbara enjoyed photographing beautiful scenery, and photos from her favorite travels hung on the walls.
Barbara and Jim retired to Florida in 1985 and celebrated their 63rd anniversary before his passing in 2016. To the surprise of many, Barbara took up golf after moving south and continued to watch it on TV after her playing days were over. Barbara and Jim continued to travel, including several cruises to Alaska. Some of their favorite places were Bryce Canyon National Park and Bandon, Oregon. Barbara moved to North Carolina in 2020 to be closer to her son.
Her love of sewing continued throughout her life as she continued to make items for her apartment, alter and mend clothing and make holiday crafts up until her death. She also took great pleasure in watching birds at the feeder.
In addition to her husband, Barbara was predeceased by her parents Raymond and Helen Seidel. She is survived by her son James Steven Mead (Ruth) of Apex, NC; her brother Ray Seidel (Dee) of Ballston Spa, NY; niece Lisa Gorton; nephew Scott Seidel (Amy); goddaughter Amy Russell; and 5 other nephews (Cooper and Arnold families). She is also survived by lifelong friends Marilyn Brodd of Raleigh, NC and Barbara Russell of Wappingers Falls.
Barbara lived in Asheboro, NC and died February 12, 2025 after a brief illness. She will be interred at Saratoga National Cemetery, joining her husband Jim – a WWII veteran. At her request there will be no memorial service. Anyone wishing to do something in her memory could donate to the National Parks Conservation Association, National Audubon Society, Habitat for Humanity or another charity of their choosing.
Barbara remained mentally sharp and continued to live independently in her own apartment until just before her death. In addition to all the custom birthday cakes and hand-tailored clothing, she will be remembered for her intelligence, quiet strength, and dignity - as well as her determination to be independent and do things her way. To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Barbara, please visit our Tree Store.