Barbara Philbrick Pennington
COLCHESTER, Conn. — Barbara Philbrick Pennington, 96, died Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012, in Colchester, Conn.
She was the daughter of Max and Pearl McIntosh Philbrick, born Dec. 29, 1915, in New York City. As an infant, Barbara and her parents traveled across country to Seattle, Wash. She was educated in Hartford schools. A member of the National Honor Society, she graduated from Bulkeley High School in 1934. She continued her lifelong love of learning, taking advantage of adult education classes in carpentry, insurance, upholstery, Shirret, quilting and woodworking.
Barbara was predeceased by her parents; her sister, Evelyn Philbrick; and her grandson, Andrew D West.
She is survived by her children, David G. Pennington of Derby Line, Vt., Susan P. Yeager (Walter) of Sweet Valley, Pa., Deborah P. Oborski (Steven ) of Marlborough, Conn., Rebecca P. West of East Hartford, Conn., and Jonathan P. Pennington (Geneva) of Schuylerville, N. Y; and her grandchildren, Cory Pennington ( Shari) of Newport, Vt., Cable Pennington (Amy) of Derby Line, Vt., Gretchen S. Yeninas (Jim) of WilkesBarre, Pa., Amanda Y. Hopkins (JD) of Sweet Valley, Pa., Christopher Oborksi of East Hartford, Conn., Kasha Carrington of Vermont, Elizabeth Y. Raub ( Mike) of Wilkes Barre, Pa., Matthew West and fiancé Jennifer Arrieta of Somers, Conn., Tyler Fairbanks of New York, Timothy Oborski of Marlborough, Conn., and Weslee Pennington and Katherine Pennington of Schuylerville.
Known as “Barbara the Great” to her great-grandchildren, she leaves behind Nicole, Emily, Jacob, Hunter, Abigail, Max, Michael, Emily, Joseph, Ethan and Henry. Barbara is survived by her brother, Herbert M. Philbrick of Rocky Hill, Conn.; her sister, Hortense Kelly of Eastham, Mass.; sister-inlaw Charlotte Daigneault; brother-in-law Wilbur Pennington ( Franny); and many nieces and nephews.
Barbara was always active and involved in her community, serving as Cub Scout den mother, Girl Scout leader and Sunday school teacher.
She was active in Horace Bushnell Congregational Church in Hartford, Conn., before moving to Colchester and joining the Colchester Federated Church.
Barbara was one of the founding members of the My Brother’s Keeper sleeping bag project at Colchester Federated Church, making sleeping bags, mittens and hats for the homeless. She made baby sweaters, quilts for various mission projects and knitted children’s mittens for the Lions, making more than 150 pairs of mittens. She loved to quilt and was involved in various quilting groups over the years.
She was active with Grange, serving as secretary for 20 years. She loved to camp, cook, sew, read, garden and spend time with family and friends.
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 12, 2013, at Colchester Federated Church to celebrate the memory and life of Barbara.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Colchester Federated Church in Colchester, Conn., smallandpietras funeralhome.com.