Barbara Babcock

1952 - 2017

Babcock, Barbara , 64, of Cumming, GA, formerly of Orlando, Florida, partner of Daina Ledins, passed away peacefully at home on July 2, 2017, after a courageous battle with brain cancer. Barbara was born December 6, 1952, in Orlando, Florida, the second of three children born to Edith and Howard Babcock, Jr. She graduated from Boone High School in 1970 and attended classes at Valencia Community College before moving to Huntington Station Long Island, New York, where she was director of aquatics for the local YMCA. She continued her education, earning a bachelor's degree in Physical Education from Hofstra University and a master's in Liberal Arts from Stony Brook University. In 1979, she continued to fulfill her passion for working with young people by taking a position as physical education teacher and coach at Syosset High School, Syosset, New York. She enjoyed teaching and coaching the soccer, softball and swim teams, and retired in (January 2010) after 30 years at Syosset. She worked at youth camps during her summers, taught lifesaving and CPR classes, and took great pride in seeing her student's success at the collegiate level of aquatic sports. Upon retirement, she and Daina moved to Cumming, Georgia where she enjoyed gardening, boating, fishing, and cooking. She also worked part time at the Cumming Aquatic Center as her love for young people and lifeguarding never diminished. She remained an avid New York Islanders fan, devoted Aunt to her nieces and nephews, and compassionate friend to so many. Barbara is survived by her partner Daina, sister Judy (Rob) Brown, brother Howard (Kathy) Babcock III, nephews Matt Brown, Kris Ledins, and nieces Marsha Babcock Poh, Molly Babcock, Sara Brown Towe, and Krista Ledins. A visitation will be held at Carey Hand Colonial Funeral Home, 2811 Curry Ford Road, Orlando, on Saturday, July 8, 2017, from 9:30am until the Celebration of Life Service at 10:00am. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Latvian EV Lutheran Church of New York, 4 Riga Lane, Melville, NY 11747, in memory of Barbara Babcock. All donations will be for summer camp programs. Arrangements entrusted to Carey Hand Colonial Funeral Home, 407-898-2561.