Authors Posts by TBR Staff

TBR Staff

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TBR News Media covers everything happening on the North Shore of Suffolk County from Cold Spring Harbor to Wading River.

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Carol Albano

Prepared by the Albano family

Carol Albano of Greenlawn passed away on Nov. 28 at the age of 76. She was the beloved wife of the late John Albano (1979) and the loving mother of Joanne Albano. Carol was a dear sister to Elizabeth Frisino (Patricia) and Joseph Frisino (Vicki) and a cherished cousin of Elena Muenckler, Susan Cantone and Jackie Pickle. She was also loved by her nieces and nephews, Kathy Derby, Liam Derby, Zack Frisino, Skyeler Pickle, and the late Noelle Muenckler.

Carol retired as the director of the library at Harborfields Public Library after 36 years of dedicated service.

Visitation was held on Dec. 3 at Nolan Funeral Home in Northport. A funeral Mass was celebrated on Dec. 4 at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church, Centerport, followed by burial at St. Philip Neri Cemetery, East Northport.

In Carol’s memory, donations to the Friends of the Library at Harborfields Library, 31 Broadway, Greenlawn, 11740, would be appreciated by her family.

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Frank S. Bonura

Prepared by Theresa Jacobellis

Frank Bonura, MD, a beloved physician who touched countless lives during more than five decades of providing healthcare to Long Island women, died Oct. 31 after a brief illness. His energy was boundless, his knowledge endless and his dedication to his patients unparalleled. Maintaining his Smithtown medical practice for 55 years, Dr. Bonura was happiest when treating patients, which he did well into his eighth decade.

Born in Queens, Dr. Bonura served in the U.S. Air Force Reserves, achieving the rank of captain. He earned his medical degree at the University of Rome and completed a rotating internship followed by a residency in obstetrical and gynecological pathology at The Brooklyn Hospital. Dr. Bonura also completed a residency in obstetrics and gynecology at The Brooklyn Cumberland Medical Center.

Shortly thereafter, he and his wife, Lenith (Leni), moved to Smithtown, where he established a solo OB-GYN practice. Over the next 35 years, he delivered close to 10,000 babies, often caring for multiple generations of women and delivering the babies of women he had previously delivered.

In 1978, Dr. Bonura joined the academic staff at the Stony Brook School of Medicine as an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology. In 1979, he was named chairman and director of OB-GYN at St. John’s Episcopal Hospital, a position he continued to hold after the hospital became St. Catherine of Siena Hospital. He established the osteoporosis program at St. Catherine in 1998.

He stopped delivering babies in 2004 and shifted the focus of his OB-GYN practice to caring for women before and during menopause. In his typical style, he devoted himself to becoming an expert in this field by attending national meetings, reading the latest studies and eventually writing articles and a textbook chapter on menopause.

In 2018, Dr. Bonura was named director of menopausal health and osteoporosis at St. Catherine. As one of the few physicians in the region certified by the North American Menopause Society, Dr. Bonura was passionate about helping women navigate the symptoms that commonly appear at this stage of life.

When COVID-19 struck, he continued to treat patients, adding telehealth to his practice. He also began hosting monthly educational lectures on Zoom to share his vast knowledge about a range of common women’s health topics, including weight management, urinary tract infections, breast cancer, vaginal symptoms and hot flashes. More recently, he offered remote educational lectures to women through the Huntington library system.

Dr. Bonura was as committed to his own health as he was to his patients’. He regularly played tennis, lifted weights, practiced yoga and took spinning classes. He credited his wife, Leni, with keeping him in good shape by feeding him a healthy Mediterranean diet, which he often recommended to his patients.

In addition to his wife of more than 55 years, he is survived by two sons: Frank (James Pollock) Bonura and Christopher Bonura.

A visitation and funeral Mass were held at the Branch Funeral Home and St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church in Smithtown, respectively. Interment followed at St. Patrick’s Cemetery.

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John Joseph Fazio’s funeral procession, heading down 25A on Tuesday Nov. 26. Photo by Janet Fortuna

Prepared by the Fazio family

It is with great sadness that we announce the unexpected passing of John Joseph Fazio who left us on Nov. 16 at the age of 63.

John was born Jan. 6, 1961, in Brooklyn where he lived until the family moved to Terryville in 1969. He graduated from Comsewogue High School where he played on the soccer team and wrestled. After graduation, he attended college and coached youth soccer. John then worked as a machinist at several firms before joining Posimech in 1983 where he became vice president and general manager.

John’s dedication and love for his 29 years with the Setauket Fire Department as honorary chief and chief driver was only surpassed by his love for family. He also enjoyed riding his Harley-Davidson and his years of studying Japanese jiu-jitsu, achieving the rank of high-level brown belt.

John is survived by his loving wife Karen; daughters Melissa Ann (Ryan) and Kaitlyn (Matt); and two adoring grandchildren Madison Rose and Ryan Dennis-John.

He is also mourned by his mother Angelina; sister Cynthia (Denis); brothers Mark (Janine), Craig (Cindy) and Steve (Lori); sisters-in-law Kathy Ann (James), Dawn Marie (Brett) and Deborah; brothers-in-law Gerard (Alissa), Brian (Jen) and Kevin (Eileen). He was predeceased by his father Richard and brother-in-law Francis (Kathy).

John was well-liked and respected by employees and business associates as demonstrated by the outpouring of condolences and memories from former and current personnel, customers and suppliers.

The words John used most throughout his life were, “How can I help?”

A celebration of John’s life was held at the Bryant Funeral Home in East Setauket, on Monday, Nov. 25, followed by a Firematic Service at 8 p.m.

A Funeral Mass took place on Tuesday, Nov. 26, at 10:30 a.m., at St. Gerard Majella RC Church, in  Port Jeff Station, which was followed by burial at St. James RC Church in Setauket. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to www.joeydfoundation.org.

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Suzanne ‘Sukie’ Rebecca Zeeve

By Rachel Zeeve

If anyone ever did the phrase, “force of nature” any justice, it was Suzanne “Sukie” Rebecca Zeeve. You could see it in the easy way that lemurs and eagles perched on her shoulders in photos from her time studying animal behavior in Madagascar and the Republic of Congo. You could hear it in the way she could make any dog levitate with joy just by singing a nonsense song with their name in it. Sukie made every creature feel understood.

She was the first woman zookeeper at the Bronx Zoo. With a Ph.D. in Comparative Biopsychology from SUNY Stony Brook, she was a fearless advocate for animals and served on a FEMA veterinary emergency response team. She rode horses, trained dogs and captained kayaks. A tireless creative, she played guitar and had an infinite collection of books on every subject. Looking at her prolific doodles, paintings and sketches, you can almost hear her laughing as she made them.

She was also my aunt. In elementary and middle school, I would spend part of each summer at her house.These weeks were nothing short of what Sukie herself was: magic. In the evenings, I’d tell her all about my day at horse camp. Over ice cream sandwiches, we’d cover everything from music and books, to politics, to how best to do an Eric Cartman impression. Whichever dogs happened to be staying over at the time would hang onto Sukie’s every word, and so would I. She was everything I wanted to be. And she still is.

A multi-decade resident of East Setauket with deep roots in the community, she will be profoundly missed. Completely adored by her friends and family, the ecosystem Sukie left behind feels incomplete without her. But she was an artist as much as she was a scientist — the beauty of her memory is just as real as her intrepid presence was.

File photo by Raymond Janis

Community call to action: Addressing safety and planning for battery storage sites

[The Nov. 21] issue of the TBR Port Times Record was rife with thought-provoking Letters to the Editor from our neighbors in the Three Villages regarding the proposed siting of two lithium-ion battery storage facilities in their community. These facilities, while pivotal in providing impetus toward a green energy future and away from fossil fuels, are not without the attendant public safety concerns and controversy when placed very close to residential areas. Given the proximity to neighborhoods surrounding Sheep Pasture and Old Town roads, as well as the Greenway Trail bisecting our area, many in Port Jefferson Station/Terryville are equally concerned about the process and appropriateness of the placement of these projects.

It is important to note, however, that the Savion proposal(s) are not the only activity which can impact our hamlet. Since July, there has been a pending application at 1575 Route 112 for a 10-megawatt storage site by New Leaf Energy which is adjacent to the Sagamore Condominium complex and a stone’s throw from the back of Comsewogue High School. It is our intention at our next Civic Association meeting Dec. 17 (7 p.m. at the Comsewogue Public Library) to have representatives of this organization address our membership which is open to any PJS/Terryville resident. I would urge all my neighbors to participate and educate themselves about this pressing and important topic.

Just as significant, I reiterate my plea that Brookhaven take a leadership role in helping engage the broader community of our town by way of a summit meeting bringing experts together to ensure that our citizens are informed. These storage facilities are spreading across Brookhaven since it is one of the few (perhaps only) municipality on Long Island to have not imposed a moratorium on these projects until defined criteria can be developed to ensure safety. I believe it is incumbent on our local officials to develop a Master Siting Plan to determine what safeguards and standards are necessary and what specific parcels can be identified for the proper, safe location of this activity. Having any L1 (light industrial) zoned parcel have an “as of right “ opportunity to develop this new technology could lead to an uproar of confusion as these sites proliferate. In the absence of extensive dialogue, misinformation can be spread as to how dangerous or toxic these proposals are, when a more rational discussion and analysis could lead to better public policy and a clear direction for our future.

  Ira Costell

 President, Port Jefferson Station/Terryville Civic Association

Lithium-ion batteries: A risky bet for energy storage?

As an electronics engineer, I designed several systems incorporating charging and balancing circuits for lithium-ion batteries. One of these was for the Juno mission, which was launched by NASA in 2011, arrived at Jupiter in 2016, a trip of 1.74 billion miles, and continues to be operational today. I have some familiarity with the characteristics of lithium-ion batteries, which are scheduled to be utilized in the proposed energy storage facilities in Setauket and East Setauket.

The problem with lithium-ion batteries is that they are subject to the phenomenon of thermal runaway, which produces an uncontrollable white-hot fire that cannot be extinguished by ordinary means. This fire does not require external oxygen, but is the result of an intense chemical reaction inside the battery cell. Thermal runaway can be induced in several ways, including mechanical stress, such as by impact or lightning, or by overcharging, even by a very small amount. To attain the maximum amount of stored energy, a lithium-ion battery is charged to very close to its maximum rated voltage, which is typically around 4.2 volts. If this voltage is exceeded, even very slightly, e.g., to 4.3 volts or 4.4 volts, thermal runaway may be induced, and it cannot be reversed. In a well-designed system, electronic circuits are utilized which do not allow overcharging to occur. Unfortunately, no electronic circuit is absolutely 100% failure proof. For established critical applications, including military and space, reliability calculations are performed. For each circuit, the mean time between failures (MTBF) and probability of failures per year are calculated. It would be interesting to know whether Savion can provide this analysis for this application.

Thermal runaway, and its fearsome result, is not the only problem that may be encountered, and it may not even be the worst problem. That problem is as follows: how many energy storage facilities will we need to provide uninterrupted power to all of our homes, businesses and other users, when our only source of energy becomes solar arrays and windmills? We have been told that, within a few years, all of our “fossil fuel” plants will be shut down, and all of our energy will come from the sun and wind, with batteries to fill in the gaps when the sun and wind are not cooperating. And, to make matters even worse, new AI applications on the horizon will actually cause our energy needs to double.

One would hope that our elected officials have considered this problem, and have made calculations of the amount of energy storage, and the quantity and size of the battery facilities, that will be required to prevent brownouts and blackouts, particularly during extended periods with diminished sun and wind. If they have, it would be most interesting to see them.

 George Altemose

 Setauket

What was missing from Senator Schumer’s $72 million Penn Station grant announcement

Port Jefferson LIRR riders should be concerned about some critical details that were missing from Senator Schumer’s announcement that he has secured $72 million from the United States Department of Transportation for various Penn Station capital improvements.  Is the $72 million an approved appropriation of funding that a transit agency must still develop a grant application or apply for, or is it a real grant that includes $72 million in funding to a transit agency that is now immediately available to be spent by the grant recipient?  Are these funds being administered by the Federal Transit Administration?  Is there already a Memorandum of Understanding between the MTA, LIRR, New Jersey Transit and Amtrak for administration of these funds?

How many years will it take to advance design and engineering (reviewed and approved by MTA, NYC Transit, LIRR, NJ Transit and Amtrak operations, maintenance and other departments) before the project is ready for the next phase of construction?  Design and engineering usually average 5% to 10% of a capital project cost.  Who is going to come up with the $648 to $ 684 million for construction, independent third-party engineering construction management firms to assist in oversight and contingency funding for construction bids coming in above the project cost estimator engineers estimates, contract change orders during construction due to unforeseen site conditions or late requests by LIRR, NYC Transit, NJ Transit and Amtrak operations or maintenance groups?

  Larry Penner

 Great Neck

Clarifying roles: Code officers don’t need firearms

The recent decision by the Port Jefferson Village Board to disarm code officers is a commendable step toward responsible governance and a clearer understanding of law enforcement roles within our community. This move has, understandably, ignited public discourse, revealing a critical misconception: the conflation of firearms with authority.

It’s imperative to clarify that code officers, tasked with upholding local ordinances and ensuring quality of life, operate under a strictly defined legal framework.  New York State law does not grant them the power to carry firearms.  The notion that a weapon somehow amplifies their authority is erroneous and potentially dangerous.

Introducing firearms into code enforcement scenarios unnecessarily escalates risk. It fosters an illusion of power that can lead to confrontations and undermine the essential nature of community-based code compliance.  De-escalation tactics, conflict resolution and proactive community engagement are far more effective tools for achieving the goals of code enforcement.

The Village Board’s decision wisely prioritizes these methods, fostering a safer environment for both residents and officers. By removing firearms from the equation, we encourage a less adversarial and more collaborative approach to code enforcement. This shift promotes trust and mutual respect, which are vital for a thriving community.

 Drew Biondo

Former PJ Trustee

Editor’s Note: This is a rerun of last week’s letter due to mistakes in the text. We apologize for the errors.

File photo by Raymond Janis

Clarifying roles: Code officers don’t need firearms

The recent decision by the Village of Port Jefferson board to disarm code officers is a commendable step toward responsible governance and a more precise understanding of law enforcement roles in our community. This move has sparked important public discussions, highlighting a critical misconception: the idea that firearms equate to authority.

It’s important to emphasize that code officers, whose duties involve upholding local ordinances and ensuring quality of life, operate within a well-defined legal framework. New York State law does not permit these officers to carry firearms. The belief that a weapon enhances their authority is not only incorrect but also potentially hazardous.

Arming code officers unnecessarily escalates risk, creating a false sense of power that could lead to confrontations. Instead, de-escalation tactics, conflict resolution and proactive community engagement are far more effective tools for achieving the goals of code enforcement.

The Village board’s decision rightly prioritizes these approaches, fostering a safer environment for both residents and officers. By removing firearms from the equation, the board promotes a less adversarial and more collaborative method of code enforcement. This shift builds trust and mutual respect — essential ingredients for a thriving community.

Drew Biondo

Former Port Jefferson Trustee

Missing the boat: A rebuttal to the Three Village start-time debate

In the Nov. 21 issue of The Village Times Herald [“Not an experiment” ],  John Hover made a lackluster attempt at rebutting my very valid point regarding the waste of time and money that has been, and will be, spent on the inane changes to the district’s start times. He spouted the same nonsense about the “less than 1% of the budget” that it will cost and the overwhelming effects it will have on attendance, grades, performance etc.

Amusingly enough, he admits that the Three Village plan falls far short of the so-called recommendations and lacks any “well-documented evidence” with respect to the impact the whopping 30-minute change the district’s budget contingency plan will have. He also misses the boat in his comprehension of all that may be lost when the millions of dollars this change requires are reallocated elsewhere.

But again, who cares about electives, class sizes, extra-curricular activities etc. that may fall by the wayside when high school kids will have more time for their at-home endeavors with 30 extra minutes of “sleep”? It is indeed a fantasy that students will sleep longer, particularly if they have parents who refuse to set strict guidelines at home.

I am not willing to sacrifice all that may be lost for some half-cocked plan based on “research” that does not support what these parent “experts” love to spew and I am most certainly not in the minority.

Stefanie Werner

East Setauket

Keep diners dishing: Support your local classics

This holiday season, between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, if you are too tired to cook, why not consider sharing a meal with neighbors, friends or family and patronize your local diner or restaurant? I have enjoyed many excellent meals for decades at various local diners.

Diners have been part of my life from teenage years to today. Eating out is a periodic ritual with either friends or family. Portions are generous. Who hasn’t taken a doggie bag home with leftovers to eat the next day? Between the customary soup, salad, rolls, coleslaw and pickles along with the main course, dinner could satisfy the heartiest appetite. Many times, we bagged our desserts to go.

Many neighborhoods have seen changes over time. New immigrant groups sometimes favor their own ethnic foods and restaurants. Diners have also lost customers over time to numerous fast-food restaurants. Many fast-food menus now include breakfast items and a greater variety of options for lunch or dinner.

Remember, these people are our neighbors. Local entrepreneurs who own and operate diners continue to invest in our community, creating new jobs without the assistance of federally funded taxpayer stimulus dollars. They work long hours, pay taxes and provide local employment. If we don’t patronize our local restaurants, they don’t eat either.

Why not honor the fond memories of our favorite diners, which have come and gone, by continuing to patronize the ones we still have? Here’s hoping the remaining diners don’t go the way of the dinosaurs into permanent extinction.

  Larry Penner

 Great Neck

Corrections for last week’s article entitled “Stony Brook begins road repairs 90 days after August storm

1. Nov. 18 was a Monday, not a Tuesday. Also, work did not begin until Nov. 20, which was a Wednesday.

2. The construction is on Mill Creek Road, which is owned by The Ward Melville Heritage Organization, not Harbor Road, which is owned by the Town of Brookhaven.

3. Avalon Nature’s Mill Pond is not correct. The Stony Brook Mill Pond is owned by The Ward Melville Heritage Organization, not Avalon.

4. The Ward Melville Heritage Organization does not oversee the Village of Stony Brook, we oversee the Stony Brook Village Center, which is owned by one of Ward Melville Heritage Organization’s subsidiaries.

5. Restoring the village to its former state – we would like to restore the Stony Brook Mill Pond to its former state.

Gloria Rocchio

President of the Ward Melville Heritage Organization

Ed Note: We regret these errors and apologize for any confusion caused

 

Pixabay photo

The staff at TBR News Media wishes you and your family a wonderful holiday filled with the warmth and happiness of the season! The office will be closed for the holidays on Nov. 28  and 29. We will reopen on Monday, Dec. 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Circa 1908

In light of this week’s article about Helping Hands and their phenomenal humanitarian work in our Long Island communities, it is difficult not to be moved by an organization like this, as we approach Thanksgiving.

Every last Thursday of November, we look forward to passing around cranberry sauce, crunchy stuffing and gravy-soaked turkey with the ones we love. Most people catch up with family they haven’t seen since the previous holiday, laugh about those age-old anecdotes relatives have been retelling for decades and maybe lounge around the TV in a “food-coma,” watching AMC’s yearly “Godfather” marathon.

But, as we anticipate Thursday’s day of rest, it is important to remember that the first part of the word Thanksgiving is “thanks.” Yes, many peoples’ families may cook year after year, but we shouldn’t come to accept it blindly. It is not something we should take for granted. Cooking for the ones we love is one of the kindest, most unifying acts we can bestow, and it is not as simple as putting a turkey into the oven.

With every hour of preparation cooks put into their Thanksgiving meals, they are not just putting in an hour of labor — they are putting in an hour of love, appreciation and devotion, for everyone they are cooking for. Appreciate them. Say thank you.

And while we should be cognizant of our loved ones on Thanksgiving, we must also think of those less fortunate. If we take the time to show gratitude for our family, we are one step closer to being able to show gratitude to strangers in need. To following the second part of the word.

According to Long Island Care’s website, over 220 thousand Long Islanders are food insecure, which is defined as “a lack of consistent access to enough food for every person in a household to live an active, healthy life.” That is a startling number, and proves that more help is needed in serving these individuals.

This Thanksgiving, enjoy the turkey, but consider stopping by a local food pantry with a donation, as well. It could be the difference between a day of sorrow and a day of joy for a family in need. And sometimes gratitude most rewards the giver.

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William Metcalfe Scofield

Prepared by the Scofield family

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of William Metcalfe Scofield of Port Jefferson. William passed peacefully at home, surrounded by his loving family. He was 88.

William was born Jan. 12, 1936, in Goshen to Mary Louise and George Scofield. He joined a growing family that included his brother Doug and sister Sonya. Another brother, Buddy, had passed at a young age. The Scofield family later moved to Port Jefferson, where George had taken a teaching position in the school district.

At Port Jefferson High School, William was an All-County basketball and baseball player, graduating in 1954. It was also at Port Jefferson High that he met his future wife, Lillian, in a memorable encounter — he shot her with a paper clip to get her attention. The playful gesture sparked a lifelong connection, and the couple married in 1956, celebrating 68 years together.

After graduating high school, William and Lillian moved to Canton, where he attended St. Lawrence University. He earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and a master’s in education while working summers on the St. Lawrence Seaway. During their time in Canton, the couple welcomed their first two children, Richard and Gary.

William participated in ROTC during college and, upon graduation, reported to Fort Knox, Ky., as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army. While stationed at Fort Knox, the couple had their daughter Dorene. After completing his service, William and his family returned to Port Jefferson, where he followed in his father’s footsteps by taking a teaching position at Port Jefferson High School.

For the next 30 years, William taught mathematics at the high school, earning the respect of students and colleagues alike. He also served as the junior varsity baseball coach alongside his close friend Al Desiderio, who coached the varsity team. The duo — beloved by players and fans — dedicated three decades to the sport. In one of life’s fitting moments, William, known as #18, has now joined Al, #39, in heaven’s hall of fame.

After retiring in 1991, William embraced a life filled with golf, traveling, family and personal projects. His years of retirement were marked by cherished moments spent with his growing family.

William is survived by his wife Lillian, children Rich, Gary and Dorene, 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Rest in peace, William. You will be deeply missed. Fairways and greens.

Viewings were held at Bryant Funeral Home in East Setauket on Sunday, Nov. 24, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. A short service followed on Monday, Nov. 25, with interment at Calverton National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requested donations to First United Methodist Church and Save-a-Pet in Port Jefferson.

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Barbara F. Hinton

Prepared by the Hinton family

Barbara Hinton (née Herberger), 86, of Northport Village, New York, passed away on Nov. 19, 2024. She was the loving mother of Stephanie Hinton and Jennifer FitzMaurice and her husband John. She was a dear grandmother to Emma Smith, step-grandmother to Michael FitzMaurice and his wife Jane and Greg FitzMaurice and his wife Briana, and sister to Connie Bennett and brother-in-law Gordon McClelland.

A native of Baldwin, Long Island, Barbara was born on March 4, 1938, and graduated in 1955 from Baldwin High School. In 1957, she attended Endicott Junior College in Beverly, Massachusetts. After a brief time in Boston, she relocated to San Francisco, California, where she worked for I. Magnin, a luxury department store. In 1963, she married her late husband William Hinton. The two shared a mutual love of opera and crossword puzzles.

Since 1972, Barbara was a proud and active member of the Northport Village community. She was involved with the Northport Historical Society, served as a Cow Harbor Day Race host family and was a member of the Northport Yacht Club. She also contributed to the Altar Guild at Trinity Episcopal Church and St. John’s Episcopal Church in Huntington. Additionally, she was a prominent real estate broker with Sammis and Coldwell Banker for more than 50 years.

Barbara loved life. She cherished the beach, sailing, international travel, playing bridge, reading murder mysteries, watching British TV programs, entertaining, drinking a good cosmopolitan, eating lobster rolls on Cape Cod and making hors d’oeuvres. She adored opera, classical music, interior design and the paintings of Chagall. A loyal friend who enriched the lives of many, Barbara will be deeply missed.

A funeral service was held on Nov. 22, 2024, officiated by the Rev. Duncan Burn of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Huntington. Donations in Barbara’s memory may be made to the American Lung Association at lung.org.