Barabara Dennison Munson

Barbara Dennison Munson, 89, died on July 4, 2017 from injuries sustained in a fall. She had just returned home after 10 months in a rehabilitation facility recuperating from a broken leg.  Barbara was born on November 22, 1927 in Bradford, England and still maintained her British citizenship. She was an only child. She received her teacher's certificate from Clapham and Streatham Training College in London  after WWII and began her teaching career at Burwell, England.  After hitchhiking through Europe, she came across the “pond” landing in Albany, NY in 1955 to teach  2nd grade at The St. Agnes School in Loudonville, N.Y.  She joined  the Capital Hill Choral Society where she met her husband, Paul B Munson II. They were married in 1958 and resided in Albany, where she stayed home with her 3 young children. In 1965, they moved  to an historic farm in Duanesburg, NY to grow their own food and raise their family in a rural setting.  She began teaching at The Albany Academy for Boys in 1968.  She and Paul left their teaching  jobs in 1975 to move their family to England for a year; upon their return, they became proprietors of The Attic Antiques and Things. Barbara remained passionate about rural life; collecting and dealing antiques until her passing.
Barbara and Paul were devout members of Christ Episcopal Church in Duanesburg, where they helped to restore and grow the church community through participation in many roles, prayer and personal devotion. Barbara was active in the church guild, Christ Church ladies’ auxiliary and all church events. She became a member of Episcopal Church Women (ECW) of the Diocese of Albany, and served as president for 3 years. She proudly represented the Albany Diocese at the General Convention and Triennial in 1997. Her community involvement extended outside of church walls, as she was a member of the Duanesburg Volunteer Ambulance Corps and earned a 10-year service pin. She wrote a column for the Mohawk Sun that shared news of Duanesburg, Delanson and Quaker Street; she was also a regular contributor to the Schenectady Gazette. In her retirement, she and Paul continued to write with the Scribblers (a local writing group). She was also a member of the Duanesburg Historical Society.  Barbara relished sharing stories, a cup of tea and sweets with visitors… or a scotch at cocktail hour. Her house was always open and welcoming to all.  The Duanesburg community, her beautiful church and its members remained her extended family and spiritual home.
She was a loving mom, grandmother, cousin, aunt and friend, here and abroad. She never forgot her English cousins and remained a devoted overseas friend and family member. She loved England and always hoped to visit her homeland again.
Barbara is predeceased by her husband Paul, and daughter Rachael. She is survived by daughter Judith (Munson) Doell and son-in-law Glenn Doell of Center Valley, PA; son Paul B Munson III and daughter-in-law, Teresa (Smith) Munson of Delanson, NY; three grandchildren, Hannah, Olivia and Paul IV. She is also survived by her loyal dog Maggie.
A MEMORIAL SERVICE WILL BE HELD SATURDAY ON AUGUST 19, 2017 AT 2PM AT CHIRST EPISCOPAL CHURCH ROUTE 20 DUANESBURG NY  There will be a reception in the church hall following the service.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Schenectady County SPCA.
Local arrangements have been entruste to the White VanBuren Funeral Home 1779 Main Street Delanson NY 12053

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