Barbara Wilbur

BARBARA WILBUR

On Sunday , May 10 , 2020, Barbara Lee Rice Wilbur, loving wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away at the age of 78 after a fifteen- year struggle with Parkinson’s Disease .

Barbara was born March 16, 1942, to William H. and Phyllis S. Rice in Little Falls, New York.  She grew up on a dairy farm with showing cattle and piano competitions as some of her many activities.  Barbara graduated from Dolgeville Central High School in 1960, and earned a degree in music education from Syracuse University in 1964.

Barbara married Reverend Robert T. Wilbur on June 14, 1964, and served along with her husband in various Presbyterian churches in Pennsylvania, Florida, and Mississippi.  She was known for her musical talents as an accompanist, choir director, and for her hospitality toward church members. Barbara collected life-long friends all over the country by being an excellent listener and encourager.  She kept up with friends and family through the creation of hundreds of unique, personalized greeting cards.  Her favorite place on earth was Canada Lake, New York, and frequently recalled the memories created there with friends and family over more than sixty years .  She loved spending time with her family that included not only her three children and two grandchildren, but also her sister, in-laws, numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Barbara is survived by her husband Robert T. Wilbur of Columbus, her children Robert W. Wilbur of Madison, Mississippi, Gregory D. Wilbur (Sophia) of Franklin, Tennessee, and Christiana M. Guerrero (Eric) of Columbus, grandchildren Eleanor J.K. Wilbur and Lucas S. Guerrero , and sister Mary E. Noble (Douglas) of Charlotte, North Carolina.

A n interment will be held at the Rural Park Cemetery in Inghams Mills , New York , as future circumstances allow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Covenant Presbyterian Church in Columbus , the Frank P. Phillips Memorial YMCA Association, and New College Franklin in Franklin, Tennessee.