Barbara L. Michelson

She graduated from Rhode Island College of Education in 1955, with a Bachelor Degree. Was married to George Amato, a fellow student and had five children. Deborah Louise, Stephen Michael, Lori Anne, Susan Jean and Catherine Elizabeth.

Barbara was an educational teacher and a voice teacher. In 1969, Barbara auditioned for and was accepted into the Rhode Island Civic Chorale and Orchestra. In 1976, she attended Katharine Gibbs School and became the Secretary for the Director of Admissions of Moses Brown School, founded in 1784 by a Quaker, who also was one of the founders of Brown University.

In 1989, Barbara moved to Sarasota, Florida, with her second husband, Gordon Michelson.

There she joined the Key Chorale and the choir of the Church of the Palms. She enjoyed going North in the summer where she attended the Berkshire Chorale Institute in Sheffield, Massachusetts, renewing friendships and attended concerts at Tanglewood.

Barbara has seven surviving grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.

She was a loyal friend to her many college friends who were still in touch with each other all the way into their later years of life! She was a loving wife and mother and had a beautiful singing voice! Her smile lighted up the room wherever she was!

She will truly be a missing light to this world!

A memorial gathering for Barbara will be held Saturday, February 24, 2024 from 1:00-3:00pm at Merritt Funeral Home - Spring Hill, 4095 Mariner Boulevard, Spring Hill, FL 34609.