Cover photo for Barbara Sparks's Obituary
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Barbara

Barbara Sparks

d. July 9, 2012

Barbara B. Sparks, 83, died Monday, July 9, 2012, at Northern Dutchess Hospital after a brief illness. Born in Potsdam, NY, she was the daughter of the late Kenneth and Esther Burnham Brundige. Raised in Plainfield, NJ, Barbara had been an area resident since 1955. She worked in accounting and payroll at Van's Auto Express and National Micronetics, and as secretary/receptionist for the Mental Health Association In Ulster County until her retirement. Barbara spent much of her life involved with music. She graduated from the Crane School of Music at the State University College of New York, Potsdam in 1951. A talented pianist, she spent countless hours as an accompanist to local soloists and groups, including the Catskill Glee Club and the Coach House Players, where her keyboard skills earned her the nickname "Knuckles". She accompanied the Yankee Male Chorus in their Bicentennial performance at Tanglewood in 1976 as well as on their annual New England performance tours for over 30 years. Barbara also spent many years singing in the Fair Street Reformed Church choir and served as their pianist and as a substitute organist for a number of local churches. Barbara greatly enjoyed traveling, including trips to England, the Cayman Islands and Alaska, but many of her happiest hours were spent sitting on the front porches of Ocean Grove, New Jersey, chatting with neighbors and enjoying her family. Barbara is survived by two daughters, Karen Mellon and her husband Robert of Wallingford, CT, and Janice Denis and her husband Alan of West Hurley, a sister, Phyllis Kennette of Ocean Grove, NJ, and two grandchildren, Taylor and Riley Mellon. Several nieces and nephews also survive. She was predeceased by her former husband, Alan W. Sparks. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 21, 2012 at the Hurley Reformed Church at 1:00 pm. Interment will be private. The family requests that memorial donations be made to the Now & Forever Fund c/o Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association, Ocean Grove, NJ.
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Saturday, July 21, 2012

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