Jane Barnstead

Jane Darling Barnstead, a longtime resident of Scarsdale, New York, died peacefully at home on September 17, 2023 at the age of 90. She was born on May 20, 1933 in Manchester, Connecticut to Paul R. and Lillian G. Darling. Jane graduated from Barrington High School in Barrington, Illinois in 1951 and went on to receive a Bachelor Degree in English from Wells College in Aurora, New York in 1955. At that time she was also inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa Society. While attending Wells College, Jane met her husband, Richard A. Barnstead. They were married on December 22, 1955 and moved to Scarsdale in 1958.

Jane worked as the Assistant Librarian at Edgewood Elementary School for fifteen years and was a lifetime member of the Scarsdale Women’s Club. She had a passion for gardening and maintained vegetable and flower gardens that fed both body and soul. Jane was an avid reader and passed her love of books and reading on to her children and grandchildren. In her thirties, following in the footsteps of her husband, she earned a private pilot license. Together they enjoyed many adventures in their Cessna 182. In 1963 Jane and her husband bought an old farmhouse and property in Ashland, New York and spent considerable time there. The property has become a peaceful retreat for four generations of family and friends.

Jane was a loving wife, mother and grandmother who had a quiet way of showing her love through her actions. She is survived by her three daughters, Linda G. Cargo and her husband, Paul; Carol J. Luedeman and her husband, Mark; Ann W. Baker; and grandchildren, Lloyd Cargo, Lauren Cargo, David Cargo, Dan Baker, Sarah Baker and June Luedeman.