Barbara L. Verdone

Obituary of Barbara L. Verdone

NORTH GREECE - Barbara L. Verdone died suddenly and peacefully at age 86 on Sunday, August 10, after surviving multiple strokes. Her daughters were by her side.

She read more books than you did – and owned more than some bookstores. She still drove a stick shift. Even last winter she was shoveling her sidewalk.

For the past 12 years she cursed the state of the world, laughed at its absurdities, valued people's kindnesses large and small, scratched out the face of a tyrannical president in newspaper photos, and wrote umpteen checks to meaningful causes – all the while deeply missing Joe Verdone, her husband of 53 years. In 2024 she said goodbye to her other best friend, Betsy Brooks, a cherished co-conspirator since the early '60s. Her daughters – Angela of Durham, NC, and Juliana of Rockaway Beach, NY, already miss her beyond words.

Barbara Ann Lewis was born and raised in northern New Hampshire, where her love of language, sports, music, and social justice took root: She was an avid reader. She officiated basketball and baseball games loudly and crassly from her living room. She sang in the Rochester Oratorio Society. She sent care packages to soldiers in Vietnam who were fighting in a war she didn't believe in. She and Joe bowled in a league with their beloved friends Tony and Ginny Russo. For decades they took to Lake Ontario on their sailboat, Bellavia.

Barbara gave her time at Northwood Elementary School, helping kids read and overcome learning challenges. She was a prolific braille transcriber and for several years taught others to do the same, also as a volunteer. With two exceptions she recounted in detail, she voted in every primary and general election and on every school budget.

Barbara loved Marlon Brando & Monty Python & M*A*S*H & Finding Your Roots & Stewie & Dave Cowens & Rachel Maddow & John Lewis & Pedro & Roberto Clemente & Jeopardy! She introduced her kids to Ian & Sylvia, Dylan, The Beatles, HAIR, and a ton of folk and classical music. She loved her friends, family, and pets fiercely, among them Pat Harris, John Weber, and Chico.

To respect Barbara's wishe s, there will be no visiting hours or funeral. Please contact Angela and Jules at barbara.angela.julie [at] gmail dot com for updates about a small gathering to remember her and throw our arms around each other. Please consider donating to WXXI, Rochester's public television and radio affiliate, or to NAMI Rochester, to support mental health care and services. We wish you all peace, as our mom did.