Born on 4-23-35, Barbara was the only child of parents Irene and Arthur Darling. She grew up on Turell Ave in Stony Brook, NY attending local schools. As she grew up, providing care for her then ailing Mom led her to become a Licensed Practical Nurse. Barbara worked at a local Doctors office in Setauket, NY where she worked until she married John (“Jack / JJ”) Walsh on 8-17-58. They bought a house on 5th Avenue in St James, and several years later Barbara became a full time housewife. Barbara loved caring for her beautiful gardens, and the many, many pets that she and Jack had throughout the years. But closest to her heart were all of her cats. Although her life was full with the mundane activities of running a house, behind her constant joyful demeanor Barbara was an extra ordinary woman. Besides her education level, unusual for women at that time, Barbara led an adventurous life with Jack. Barbara drove a stick shift car, raced horses (in sulky competitions), rode motorcycles, and was an accomplished figure ice skater, which she did up until her 60’s. She summered in a trailer on the beach spending many a night by herself with her beloved dog Biscuit by her side when Jack could not be there due to work. It was also said that she was a better fisherman than Jack! A lifelong dear friend to the Lohmann’s (and their respective families), Barbara, Jack and their parents were constant fixtures at the Lohmann household. Always impeccably dressed, with her long blond hair in an up-do and a constant smile on her face, our dear “Barbie” will always be remembered for her kindness and sweet disposition.
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