She was born May 15, 1926 in Washington, DC, the daughter of Flournoy Cooper Schneider and Dorothy Galliher Beale. Upon completion of high school she attended University of Maryland where she met her husband-to-be.
On May 21, 1949 Barbara married the love of her life, William Raymond Groome. Shortly thereafter, Barbara and her husband relocated to New York where they began to raise their family. They spent many wonderful years together before his passing in 1998.
She was a nurturing and loving mother who stayed involved with her children throughout their many activities; the sport of baton twirling, equestrian competition and the performance art of dance. Barbara enjoyed needlepoint and cross-stitch, which later grew into the love of her true passion, knitting. For over 30 years, she owned her own business, The Wool Shop, in Locust Valley, NY. She was a knitting icon, highly respected in the industry and had a talent for designing and a passion for teaching her craft. Some of her most proud career accomplishments included a video tutorial, Basic Knitting Techniques which was released in 1992 and a book entitled Journey: A Knitter’s Research from Lerwick to Land’s End that was published in 2016 after extensive European travel and study.
In 2005, Barbara relocated to North Swanzey with her daughter Ginnette. Although missing the culture of New York, she loved the beauty of New Hampshire and felt quite at home.
Barbara was a compassionate and selfless woman who dedicated time to volunteering and fundraising, in addition to being a Girl Scout troop leader for many years. She cherished being part of the lives of her seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. From opera and theater in New York to sheep festivals around the country, Barbara was a social woman who enjoyed people and opportunities to gain knowledge and enrich her life. She was an avid reader with a sharp mind.
Barbara will be dearly missed by her daughters: Suzanne Stier of Ridgeway, SC, Ginnette Groome of North Swanzey, Gretchen Carmel of Keene; grandchildren: Matthew Stier, Sara Hartley, Christopher Stier, Heidi Austin, Heather Stier, Maxwell Carmel, and Noah Carmel; and great-grandchildren: Hayden, Beckett, Eliza, Shepherd, Willow, Penelope, and Luca.
She was predeceased by her husband of nearly 50 years: William Raymond Groome; brother: Charles F. Schneider; and nephew: Larry Schneider.
Family and friends are invited to gather for a celebration of Barbara’s life on Tuesday, February 27, 2018 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Fletcher Funeral Home, 33 Marlboro Street, Keene, NH.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in Barbara S. Groome’s name to the Paralyzed Veterans of America, 800-555-9140, www.SupportVeterans.org.
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