1927 – 2016

RUMFORD — Barbara Louise Richards, 88, of Rumford and formerly of Jay, passed peacefully on Valentine’s Day, reunited with her late husband, Lauriston Richards. She had resided at the Rumford Community Home for more than 13 years.

Barbara was the youngest of seven children, born on May 6, 1927, in Rangeley, to Rue and Erma (Oakes) Prescott. She played basketball while a student at Rangeley High School and graduated in the Class of 1944. She continued her education in New Jersey for telegraph communications and returned to Farmington where she worked as a telegraph operator during the war and met her husband. She and Lauriston were married at the Henderson Memorial Baptist Church in Farmington on July 27, 1947. He predeceased her on Aug. 20, 1999.

For many years, she was a cafeteria worker in Wilton and East Wilton schools. She volunteered with the school wellness clinics and was both a Boy and Girl Scout leader. She often provided transportation for area children to any event that they were participating in and it was always noted that she was a devoted wife and mother whose priorities were her children. She “grew up” with her children and always wanted to be an active participant in whatever they were doing, enjoying all of their fun. Barbara was known also to be a disciplinarian who treated her children and their friends all equally the same.

She also enjoyed working outside of the home. She was employed at G.H. Bass, picked blueberries at Newman’s and picked and packed apples at Harnden’s, worked at the Dutch Treat and served as a bookkeeper for K & H Foster. She also worked for the Wilton swim program and as her children were progressing in the program, she took lessons and earned her own ribbons right along with the kids.

She was a member of the OES, Wilton Chapter, the Buzz’n Dozen Women’s Club, the Day Extension and with her husband attended the East Wilton Grange. She enjoyed participating in the Women’s Bowling League and went to the states.

Her family wishes to publicly acknowledge their gratitude for her first in-home caregiver, Nat, and to the staff at the Rumford Community Home.

She is survived by her two daughters, Priscilla Pineau of Jay and her daughter, Joanne Pineau of Auburn; son, John Pineau and his wife, Kristyn, of Oviedo, Fla., and Patricia “Pat” Richards of Jay; and  several nieces, nephews and in-laws.

In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by their son, Brian Richards, who died on April 30, 1998.

Condolences and tributes may be shared on her memorial wall at www.wilesrc.com.