Barbara Anne Garthwaite

Barbara Anne (Chappell) Garthwaite died peacefully on Aug. 4, 2018 at Putnam Ridge in Brewster, N.Y. She was 89 years old. Barbara was born Oct. 28, 1928, in Buffalo, N.Y., the daughter of Gladys (Flynn) Chappell and Ernest Chappell. She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Robert L. Garthwaite.

Barbara and Bob Garthwaite raised their family in Piscataway, N.J., where she was active in the League of Women’s Voters, led successful efforts to integrate a local nursery school and girl scout troop, chaired the Bike Path Committee that ensured access from remote neighborhoods to the public library, and served on the Piscataway Board of Education. Barbara was an active member of the Tenafly High School alumni community, and the Alumni Association of Vermont Junior College. She was beloved by many for her generous spirit, thoughtfulness, kindness and her ability to help others through difficult times.

Besides her husband Robert, Barbara Garthwaite is survived by her devoted friends; her children, Lynn G. Olsen of Brewster, N.Y., Lucinda Garthwaite (and her partner, Shelley Vermilya), of Plainfield Vt., Laurie Buttler of Annandale, N.J., Robert Garthwaite (and his wife, Julie Garthwaite) of Shamong, N.J., Sandy Benson of East Highlands, Calif., and Jonathan Garthwaite of Canaan, N.H.; grandchildren, Jennifer Olsen and Ryan Olsen (and his wife, Emily Long Olsen), Zora and Dashiell Vermilya, Kaitlin, Chelsea, Molly and Hailey Garthwaite, Nicholas, Elliott, and Christopher Benson (and his wife, Angie Benson), Nicholas Talbert and Walker Rose Garthwaite; and great-grandchildren, Sage and Crane Olsen; and Loren and Lincoln Benson. Barbara was predeceased by her sons-in-law, Michael Benson and William Buttler, and her sister, Marilyn Murphy.

In lieu of a public service, Barbara asked that her family and friends find ways to spread kindness in her memory.