She was born Barbara Patricia Ruddy, in New York City and raised in Jamaica Queens with her six siblings, Patrick, Peggy, Kay, Robert, Richard and Brian. She attended Immaculate Conception Grammar school, and Dominican Commercial High School.
After marrying her husband, Jan Wines, in 1967, Barbara worked at Mercy College and attended undergraduate and graduate school, obtaining her Masters of Business Administration in Management Information Systems at Long Island University in 1987. She then served as Registrar at Elizabeth Seton College, then Registrar at Marymount Tarrytown, and ultimately, Associate Dean and University Registrar at New York Medical College for the next fifteen years.
Barbara oversaw the Medical College’s annual graduation ceremonies at Carnegie Hall each year, and at her final graduation ceremony in 2002, before joining the Peace Corps with Jan to serve in Bulgaria, received a standing ovation from the students, faculty and guests. This despite the fact that she couldn’t sing a lick and could barely peck “Oh Susanna” on the piano! In 2014, when her replacement Registrar at New York Medical College retired, Barbara was asked back to serve as Interim Registrar and assisted in a six month search for a new Registrar for New York Medical College. Barbara was a mentor to a number of fellow workers at the college and those close relationships have stood the test of time.
Barbara taught English to High School Students in Bulgaria and she and Jan have stayed active in Returned Peace Corps activities since their return from service. They also re-visited their host town, Etropole, on a number of occasions to see the many close friends they made there, and have enjoyed the company of a number of Bulgarian student visitors since then, showing them Croton, and the sights in NYC.
After her Peace Corps service Barbara worked at Bennett Conservatory in Croton where she oversaw the office and insured that the budding musicians, waiting for their lessons, had their Graham Crackers. She also worked as a literacy volunteer utilizing her ESL skills learned in Bulgaria, as well as managing a loving home filled with four generations when her parents, Pat and Marge, came to visit during their final years.
Subsequently Barbara served as an Ombudsmen at Cortlandt Manor Nursing Home for seven years, working to insure that the residents were treated with the care and dignity that they deserved.
Barbara was pre-deceased by her parents, and is survived by all her brothers and sisters, her devoted husband Jan, her two wonderful children, Kevin and Amy and her loving granddaughter Kiersten, as well as a large number of close nieces and nephews, some living as neighbors in Croton. Barbara loved her time with her nieces and nephews, especially the annual summer stay with many of them on Block Island.
Barbara enjoyed working on quilts that she never quite seemed to finish, participating in long biking trips to raise awareness to fight children’s cancers. She also enjoyed long walks along the river, and traveling the world with her loving husband of fifty years, and best friend, Jan.
Barbara wanted to thank all of the family, and her Croton neighbors, who have been so kind and helpful during her illness.
Visitation will be held 4pm to 8pm at Edward Carter Funeral Home in Croton on Hudson on Friday March 2, 4 to 8pm. A memorial service will be held on Saturday March 3, at 3pm, at Bethel Chapel in Croton.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the ALS Center of Columbia University, online at www.givenow.columbia.edu or Phelps Community Palliative Care Program, Att. Pam Lipperman, 701 N. Broadway, Sleepy Hollow, NY, 10591
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