GREENFIELD CENTER — Loving wife and mother, Barbara Maria Ribley Templin, 73, passed away on November 14, after a courageous battle with cancer. She was at home and surrounded by family members as she went to our Lord.
Barbara was born September 11, 1940 in Albany.
She was the daughter of Harry J. Ribley and Lillian Cheney Ribley. Barbara was the youngest of seven children. She was predeceased by her brothers Royal Ribley and Harry Ribley, and her sister Helen Traver.
Barbara was a graduate of Saratoga Springs High School, Class of 1958. Barbara received her Bachelors of Science and her Masters of Science in Biology from the College of Saint Rose in Albany. After graduating with her bachelors, Barbara taught at Saint Mary’s Catholic High School in Hudson. In 1968, Barbara became a member of the Biology Department faculty at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs.
Barbara enjoyed 54 years of loving companionship with John L. Templin, Jr. They were married for the past 43 years.
She loved spending time at their summer home in Livingston Manor, where she painted and made many varieties of jam. Barbara was an avid painter. She was amazingly skilled in watercolors and in oil painting. She spent many happy hours with friends, learning and practicing watercolor technique from painter Jack Yelle. She spent her summers making delicious jam from the blueberries that John picked each year and from many other varieties of fruit.
Barbara and John founded Templin Management Associates, Inc., a healthcare management consulting company they operated together for twenty seven years.
For more than 40 years, Barbara was a volunteer swimming instructor for the American Red Cross Learn to Swim Program. She spent a portion of each summer teaching children swimming and water safety skills. Barbara loved to swim and found peace and contentment in the water.
Barbara was an amazing mother who believed in each of her children and encouraged them to work hard and strive for happiness, as well as excellence, in their areas of strength. She was their greatest supporter and their most patient teacher. She taught all of her children the manners and skills they would need to thrive in their lives. She often welcomed other children and friends into the family home for holiday celebrations and came to be known as “Mom Templin” to many people.
Barbara and John were faithful contributors to the Give a Child Christmas program, often “adopting” multiple children, or entire families, each Christmas season. They also support many children overseas through the Christian Foundation for Children and Adults. They taught their children that they should always help others, even in times of personal struggle or duress. Barbara was an amazingly caring, and selfless, person.
Barbara is survived by her husband John; her sons John (Jay) Templin (and his wife Lara) of Charles City, Virginia, Joseph (and his wife Ambre) Templin of Ballston Spa, Kevin (and his wife Jennifer) Templin of Greenfield Center, and Christopher Templin, of East Chatham (and his wife Sara, who lovingly cared for Barbara throughout her battle).
Barbara had two loving daughters who were with her and selflessly cared for her and emotionally supported Barbara through her battle with cancer until the end.
Nan is married to LCDR Demian Gough, stationed in Honolulu, Hawaii and Danielle (Dani) is married to CDR Jason Orender, stationed in Norfolk, Virginia. Additionally, her niece Tammy Willis selflessly and lovingly cared for her throughout her fight with cancer.
Her adored grandchildren include Gordon Templin, Daniel Templin, Liam Templin, Colin Templin, Noah Templin, Lucy Templin, Amelia Gough, Lillian Gough and John Francis Templin.
Barbara is also survived by her brother Bruce Ribley of Averill Park and sisters Lillian Willis of Ganesvoort and Joan Borck of Loudenville. Other family members include John, Tammy, Maddy, Miles and Zane Willis of Greenfield Center; Shashidhar, Suguna and Swapna Reddy of Albany; Sudheer, Prabha, Vikram and Bella Reddy of Boyds, Maryland and numerous nephews, nieces and dear friends around the world.
A private funeral Mass was held at St. Joseph’s Church in Greenfield Center. Visitation and a short memorial service will be held on Thursday, November 21, from 4-8 p.m. at the William J. Burke & Sons Funeral Home, 628 North Broadway in Saratoga Springs. A memorial service will be held at St. Aloysious Church in Livingston Manor, in the coming year.
Barbara’s family wishes to thank Dr. Jenny Romero of Saratoga Oncology and Hematology for her excellent care. We also wish to thank the staff and nurses at Saratoga Oncology including Kathy, Ginger, Maryanne, Emily, Jen, Amy, Burch and Bernard. A special thanks to Jackie Howland, Barbara’s chemotherapy nurse who held her hand, eased her pain and lovingly cared for her throughout her valiant fight.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations made to Community Hospice of Saratoga or The Adirondack-Saratoga Chapter of the American Red Cross, Learn to Swim Program at 74 Warren St., Glens Falls, NY 12801 in Barbara’s honor.
Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.
