Barbara M. Ayer, of 2 Pine Street,
Charlestown NH went home to be with her Lord and Savior on June
11, 2012 at the age of 98. She was born in Melrose, MA on
August 31, 1913, the daughter of George Daniel and Florence (Fernald)
Means. She graduated from Melrose High School, spent three
years at Wheelock College, received her Bachelor of Arts Degree
in Elementary Education from the State University of New York at
New Paltz, NY and then studied one year at Russell Sage College
in Special Education. Barbara lived and taught in Keene, NH
from 1934 to 1939, Ellenville, NY from 1953 to 1960, Castleton
on Hudson from 1960 to1969 and
Fairfax County, Chantilly,Virginia
from 1969 to 1970. She had resided in Charlestown since 1970
and taught at Fall Mountain Regional School District from 1971
to 1976 at the North Walpole Elementary School.
She was a member and former
Deaconess at the Charlestown Congregational Church, a member of
the Charlestown Garden Club, member and trustee of the
Charlestown Senior Citizens’ Club and Life Member of the Old
Fort at #4 Association. Barbara was a member of the Order of
Eastern Star, both of the Van Rensselaer Star Chapter of NY and
the Charlestown and Alstead NH Chapter where she was a former
Associate Matron. She was also a member of the Sullivan County
Retired Educators Association.
She was the widow of Gordon Roundy
Ayer whom she married on November 4, 1939 and who died September
28, 1984. Her true joy came from taking care of her family and
home.
Barbara was predeceased by a
brother, Richard Means in 1975 and two sisters, Olive Pike in
1995 and Priscilla Richardson in 2005.The surviving family
includes a son, Laurence G. Ayer Sr. and his wife, Judith
(Monty) of Newbury, OH, a daughter, Janet Bennett and her
husband Stephen of Newtown, CT; four grandchildren, Laurence G.
Ayer Jr., Scott D. Ayer, Brian M. Ayer and Christina M. Bennett;
five great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Donations may be made in her
memory to the Charlestown Congregational Church, PO Box 1498 or
the Charlestown Ambulance Service, PO Box 369, both of
Charlestown, NH 03603.
A celebration of life will be held
at 11:00 am on Wednesday July 18, 2012 at the Charlestown
Congregational Church, 71 Main Street, Charlestown, NH followed
by a luncheon in the Pine Room of the church. Friends and family
will be greeted at the church from 10:30 am until the service
time. The Rev. Susan Grant Rosen will officiate. Interment will
be private at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Putney, Vt.