BARBARA CHARLAMB

MIDDLEBURY ‑ Barbara Deane Charlamb of Middlebury, Vt., and formerly of Manchester, Conn., died on May 23 in Middlebury.

Born in Jay, Maine, in 1940, she attended Maine Central Institute in Pittsfield, Maine and received her bachelor’s degree from Washington State Teachers College in Machias, Maine.

Barbara moved to Connecticut in 1963 and established a long career in teaching elementary and junior high school students in Manchester and Vernon public schools. She was a dedicated teacher and cherished colleague. She also enjoyed serving on the board of the Manchester (Conn.) Scholarship Foundation for 14 years and for one year as president.

After retirement, she pursued her passion for gardening and became a Master Gardener. She started a program in Hartford, Conn., introducing urban 5th graders to gardening.

After moving to Vermont in 2010, she continued gardening and became a mentor with Everybody Wins, helping children of Mary Hogan Elementary School improve their reading for six years. Her last years were shaped by Alzheimer’s disease and aphasia. She lovingly cared for her husband, Alex Charlamb, during his decline from Alzheimer’s disease. She began her own struggles with dementia and aphasia six years ago, and lived her last two years at Eastview, where she was a cherished resident and indefatigable walker, clocking one to two miles daily.

Barbara is predeceased by her husband, Alex Charlamb. She is survived by daughters Jennifer Gates of Manchester, Conn., and Lisa Gates and her husband Michael Roy of Middlebury, Vt.; grandchildren Ethan, Anna, and Julian Roy; and sister Beverly Knowles of Presque Isle, Maine.

Donations in Barbara’s memory can be made to HOPE, Charter House Coalition, Manchester (Conn.) Scholarship Foundation — all organizations important to her. Her family wishes to thank the caring staff at EastView GardenSong, the nurses at Addison Home Health and Hospice who supported her final weeks, and the many dear friends who called, visited and walked with Barbara these last years. ◊