Barbara Holme Conroe
SARATOGA SPRINGS – Mrs. Barbara Holme Conroe, age 81, died peacefully on Monday, January 14 at Maplewood Manor Home, Ballston Spa, after years of coping with Alzheimer’s disease. She was born September 1, 1931 in Albany, the daughter of Furman D. and Irene Gordon Holme. She was the wife of Dr. Bruce A. Conroe of Wilton.
Barbara grew up in Delmar and attended Bethlehem Central Schools, graduating in 1949. She attended Middlebury College in Vermont and graduated summa cum laude in 1953 with a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Phi Beta Kappa key.
Barbara and Bruce met in Kindergarten and were high school sweethearts. They were married on August 22, 1953, at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Albany. They first lived in Alfred while he obtained a master’s degree and then moved to North Syracuse. They lived there 11 years, interrupted by two years with the US Army, stationed in then West Germany. Barbara sailed to West Germany to be with her husband, so he would know their firstborn child, even living in very basic civilian houses.
In 1967, the couple moved with their four children to Potsdam, where they stayed for 19 years. With young children, Barbara didn’t undertake employment until the youngest was in school all day. She became the secretary of the Potsdam Public Library, where she worked until 1986.
In retirement, the Conroes moved to the Saratoga Springs area. In 1987, Barbara began 20 plus years of volunteering in the Saratoga Hospital Emergency Department., a “job” she thoroughly enjoyed. She also served as an officer in the Volunteer Guild of the Hospital. She was very active in her church as an Elder and choir member. She also enjoyed singing in Skidmore College’s Community Chorus. Barbara was a fun-loving, active person, enjoying skiing, hand crafts, reading, music and her family.
In addition to her parents, she is predeceased by her brother, Gordon Holme of Asheville, NC. Besides her husband, she is survived by four children, Scott of Cortland, David (Dianne) of Wilton, Laurie Mousaw (Jim) of Potsdam, and John (Robin) of Ballston Spa., six grandchildren Jenna Mousaw of Plattsburgh, Kaylie and Ryan Mousaw of Potsdam, Emilee and Allison Conroe of Ballston Spa, and Aura Moore (Jamie) of Machias, ME, and four great grandchildren.
Services will be held on Saturday January 19 at 2:00 pm at the Presbyterian-New England Congregational Church, 24 Circular St., Saratoga Springs, with burial in the spring at Greenridge Cemetery.
Memorial gifts may be made to the Presbyterian Church or Middlebury College Foundation, 2 Court St., Middlebury, VT 05753, or Saratoga Hospital Care Foundation, 211 Church St., Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.
Arrangements are under the direction of the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes of 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs.
