Obituary of Barbara B. Schweighofer

Barbara Schweighofer Sidney, NY Barbara (Bidwell) Schweighofer sadly passed away unexpectedly, on Wednesday, January 9th, 2013. Barbara, the third child of the late Everett M. and Margaret (Galvin) Bidwell, was born December 5th, 1926, in Unadilla, NY, and grew up in Sidney, NY, where she remained for most of her life. She was pre-deceased by an older brother, Everett Jr, an older sister, Martha, and a younger sister, Freida. She is survived by sisters Dortha Volt of Grand Junction, Colorado and Beverly (Robert) Woodford of Bellmore, NY, and numerous nieces and nephews. She married Norman Schweighofer of Honesdale, Pennsylvania, in 1948 and had two children - Steve, who lives in Victoria, British Columbia, and Judy, who lives with husband Ed Tasillo in Newark Valley, NY. She was very proud of her two grandchildren, Mike and Amy Tasillo, who are located in Charlotte, NC and Washington, DC, respectively. For several years, Barbara worked for the Sidney Federal Credit Union, then as deputy clerk for Village of Sidney in the Village Clerk's office until she retired in 1984. Family times in those days were highlighted by annual vacations and regular camping trips that we will all remember forever. She and Norm enjoyed their retirement in Sidney and Barbara became an expert at needlepoint, which gave her great satisfaction. They enjoyed long walks on the nature trail in Sidney, and she became an expert birdwatcher at the feeders Norm installed and maintained in the backyard. She was an avid reader and enjoyed attacking a variety of word and crossword puzzles in a manner that put the rest of us to shame. She and Norm had only recently moved to The Highlands, an independent senior retirement community in Johnson City, NY. Barbara enjoyed time spent with family. In addition to her own side of the family, wonderful times were had with Norm's brother, Robert, and Ruth Schweighofer. Sprawling get-togethers were a regular occurrence in younger years when all of the family lived nearby. That closeness remained despite the geographical distances that eventually scattered the family from Colorado to Long Island and from Florida to British Columbia. Those distances, however, provided her with the adventure of traveling, whether it was driving through the Rocky Mountains, braving the Massachusetts turnpike or the NYS Thruway, or flying to Vancouver Island. Her most cherished trips, however, were the regular ones to Old Orchard Beach, Maine, with Norm, and they made certain that they made "their" trip at least once a year for almost 25 years. She will be missed terribly, but lovingly remembered for the strength and devotion she gave to us all. In honor of Barbara's wishes, there will be no calling hours. A private service for family will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.landersfh.com Arrangements are under the direction of C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel Sidney.