Barbara Venable

Barbara was born in Buffalo, New York, on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 1940, the daughter of Martin James and Jeanne Travers. She graduated from the Seminary of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart at Stella Niagara, attended St. Michael’s College in Toronto, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in music from Manhattanville College in Purchase, New York.

She married William Wight Venable Jr., in 1962 and the family spent nearly a decade living abroad in Europe before settling in Rye, New York in 1977. Barbara later made her home in Old Lyme, Connecticut, where she was a longtime member of the Old Lyme Country Club and the Old Lyme Beach Club.

While raising her family in Rye, Barbara was a longtime member of a Twig of the United Hospital Auxiliary and of the Rye Garden Club, and she led Sundays at the Convent, a faith-based group to worship, study the Word, and enjoy fellowship together.

Barbara served as a guidance counselor at Sacred Heart Greenwich, a preparatory school for girls in Greenwich, Connecticut. Barbara cared for her students far beyond the college process, and the girls adored her for it.

Barbara's greatest joy was people. Warm and kind, with a presence that filled any room, she loved drawing out people's stories and finding the threads that connected them. She was, above all, a connector. This gift found a natural home at the bridge table, where she was a beloved member of the Essex area's large and lively bridge community. She also treasured evenings out with friends, whether a performance at the Goodspeed or dinner at one of her favorite local restaurants.

She is survived by her daughter Mary-Tritton Venable Baker, her husband Charles Robert Baker, and their children Emily Francis Bowlin and Charles Wyatt Baker; her son William Wight Venable, III; her daughter Emily Venable Biscardi, her husband Ronald John Biscardi, and their son Julian Craige Biscardi; her sister Rosemary Travers Wilson; her niece Suzy Humble Limbers; and her nephew Dick Travers Humble.

Funeral arrangements will be private at the wishes of the family with a celebration of life to be held in mid-September. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to the Con Brio Choral Society (conbrio.org), the Essex-based classical chorus whose concerts brought Barbara such joy.