Obituary of Barbara J. Walker

Barbara C. Walker Sidney, NY Barbara Curtis Walker, 77, of Sidney, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 19, 2010, surrounded by her loving family. "Barbara was a loving, supportive mother and faithful wife whose home reflected that loving atmosphere," her family said in a tribute. She was born Sept. 30, 1932, in Pittsfield, N.Y., the daughter of Mason and Nina Curtis. She spent her early years on Borden Farms in Pittsfield, Wallkill and Poolville, where her father worked. The family moved to Sidney during her teen years. She attended Sidney High School where she participated in chorus as a soprano, and was an editorial staff member on both the Maroon & White and the Reflector. In a Maroon & White student poll in June, 1950, she was voted "best looking" girl in her graduating class and also "nicest laugh." After graduating in June, 1950, she worked at the office of the telephone company until she married Duane C. Walker on March 2, 1951. She was baptized at the First Methodist Church of Sidney and also taught Sunday school at the First Baptist Church. She was a leader for Brownies and also a "homeroom mother" many times when her children were in elementary school. She enjoyed flower gardening, crocheting afgans for her family and friends, but her greatest pleasure was spending time with her children and grandchildren. She worked for Amphenol in Sidney for many years, until her retirement in 1991. Her husband of 56 years, Duane, died before her as did her sister, Marjorie Holt, grandson, Jonathan Pratt, and son-in-law, Charles Deprez. Barbara is survived by her three daughters: Debra Pratt and her husband, Bill, of Rotterdam, Susan Deprez of Annandale, Va., and Lucinda Uhorchak and her husband, John, of Cornwall, N.Y.; and one son, Michael Walker, of Unadilla. She is also survived by nine grandchildren: Cassandra Pratt, Amanda and David Deprez, Nicholas, Jacqueline and Andrew Uhorchak, Jessica Crisell, Michelle Schwartz and Steven Walker. Also her sisters Sandra Curtis Silvanic of Saratoga Springs and Phyllis Byrne of Virginia, and brothers Milton Curtis of Masonville and Gerald Curtis of Sidney; as well as many nieces and nephews. Calling hours will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 27 at C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel, 21 Main St. Sidney, NY 13838, with a service immediately following at 1 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Catskill Area Hospice & Palliative Care 1 Birchwood Drive Oneonta, NY 13820. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family online at www.landersfh.com. Arrangements are by C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel, 21 Main St., Sidney, NY 13838.