Barbara Carlson Perkins

Barbara C. Perkins of Old Lyme died at home on Wednesday, February 17, 2016, with her family by her side. Barbara was born October 13, 1938 in New Haven, CT, the elder daughter of Gustaf and Thurza Carlson who predeceased her.

When her family moved from Hamden to Killingworth, Barbara was proud to have attended a one-room school house for a portion of her primary education. She graduated from Hand High School in Madison and went on to attend Pembroke College (Brown University) and then to The Katherine Gibbs School in Boston. While at Pembroke she met the man who would be her husband and cherished partner for 56 years, Edward G. (Ned) Perkins. They were married in Killingworth on August 29, 1959.

After moving many times in their early years together, they moved from Palatine, Illinois to Old Lyme in 1972 where they raised their three daughters, Leslie (Mrs. Bruce Anderson) of Essex, Kendall (Perkins) of Old Lyme and Kristen (Mrs. James Shea) of Lyme. She was blessed to have all three of her daughters and their families living nearby. She greatly enjoyed the friendship and company of her two sons-in-law, Bruce Anderson and Jim Shea.

Her family was the focus of Barbara’s life and she took great pleasure in her six grandchildren: Eric and Laura Anderson, Alden and Jacob Martin and Aidan and Lily Shea. Barbara will always hold a special place in their lives.

She is survived by her sister, Marilyn (Mrs. Bruce Campbell) of Killingworth.

Barbara’s gardens were admired by many, her cookies were exceptional and she was an excellent first mate on their sail boats where they spent many family summer vacations.

She was very active in the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme and a member of the Old Lyme Beach Club, the Old Lyme Country Club and the Hamburg Cove Yacht Club.

The family wishes to thank the excellent medical team that supported Barbara in her 35 year challenge with various forms of cancer, particularly Dr. Richard Hellman of L&M Cancer Center and Dr. David Walker of Middlesex Hospital Primary Care.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, February 27, 2016 at 3:00 PM in the First Congregational Church, 1 McCurdy Road, Old Lyme. Fulton-Theroux Funeral Home, Old Lyme is handling the arrangements. Please visit fulton-therouxoldlyme.com for tributes, directions and more service information. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library, 2 Library Lane, Old Lyme, CT 06371 or to the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme.