Obituary for Barbara Pollard Vincent (Pollard)
Barbara Pollard Vincent
Barbara Vincent of Briarcliff Manor, 85, passed away in her sleep early Saturday morning, April 18th, at the NY State Veteran’s Home in Montrose, NY, after a long illness.
She is survived by her loving husband of 63 years, Tom, two children: Linda Filiai (‘Ilai) of Kailua, Hawaii and Michael Vincent (Claudia nee Cirillo) of Briarcliff Manor, and five grandchildren. Twins Michael and Katie are in Hawaii and Tommy, Zach and Kyle live in Briarcliff. Barbara’s eldest son, Tom, died in 1985. Her brother, Bill Pollard, lives in Baltimore.
Born in Baltimore, Maryland on September 12, 1934, to William B. Pollard and Roberta Meese Pollard, she graduated from Roland Park School and Eastern High School. After a year in nurse’s training at Union Memorial Hospital – her birthplace – she decided on medical secretarial work. This eventually led to her appointment as assistant to noted forensic psychiatrist, Manfred Guttmacher, the Chief Medical Adviser to the Supreme Bench of Baltimore.
After marrying then Army Lieutenant Vincent in 1956, she became chief administrative assistant to the Biological Laboratory Director at Fort Detrick, Maryland, where her husband was stationed. When leaving the facility in 1958, she was given a Special Commendation by the Army Chemical Corps.
Settling in Briarcliff Manor, where her husband grew up, she worked at Ossining’s Park School and Pleasantville’s Cottage School, but most hours were devoted to her children. She was a Girl Scout Leader and worked closely with the PTA. Barbara loved her 20-plus year singing role with the Briarcliff Congregational Church Choir. She was also a founder of the church’s Caring Committee that has offered a helping hand where needed for almost 40 years.
Barbara was also devoted to the PEO Sisterhood, a group devoted to the advancement of higher education for women. A member for over 35 years, she was twice President of her Pleasantville Chapter. In 1988, she led her sisters in hosting PEO’s New York State Convention of nearly 70 chapters at Marymount College in Tarrytown.
Three tragedies in her life never stopped her. On Palm Sunday, 1955, her parents died in a six-person drowning accident off Ocean City, Maryland. She was 20. In December 1985, 30 years later, her first-born son, Tommy, was killed in a car accident outside New Orleans. In late 2015, 30 years after that, she started to develop memory lapses eventually leading to her demise from vascular dementia five years later.
She never lost her strength of character. Barbara was always ready with a smile, a hug, pat on the back or new idea to help move things forward. Her humanity and care were always up front. Now with the angels, she'll be good company.
Albert Schweitzer said: “Life becomes harder for us when we live for others, but it also becomes richer and happier.” For Barbara Vincent, there were no “others.” There was just one great big “us.” May she rest in Peace.
Present plans include a Memorial Service and Reception for Barbara at the Briarcliff Congregational Church on Saturday, September 12th -- her 86th Birthday. More details as the changing situation allows. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the church would be most appreciated by the family.
Barbara Vincent of Briarcliff Manor, 85, passed away in her sleep early Saturday morning, April 18th, at the NY State Veteran’s Home in Montrose, NY, after a long illness.
She is survived by her loving husband of 63 years, Tom, two children: Linda Filiai (‘Ilai) of Kailua, Hawaii and Michael Vincent (Claudia nee Cirillo) of Briarcliff Manor, and five grandchildren. Twins Michael and Katie are in Hawaii and Tommy, Zach and Kyle live in Briarcliff. Barbara’s eldest son, Tom, died in 1985. Her brother, Bill Pollard, lives in Baltimore.
Born in Baltimore, Maryland on September 12, 1934, to William B. Pollard and Roberta Meese Pollard, she graduated from Roland Park School and Eastern High School. After a year in nurse’s training at Union Memorial Hospital – her birthplace – she decided on medical secretarial work. This eventually led to her appointment as assistant to noted forensic psychiatrist, Manfred Guttmacher, the Chief Medical Adviser to the Supreme Bench of Baltimore.
After marrying then Army Lieutenant Vincent in 1956, she became chief administrative assistant to the Biological Laboratory Director at Fort Detrick, Maryland, where her husband was stationed. When leaving the facility in 1958, she was given a Special Commendation by the Army Chemical Corps.
Settling in Briarcliff Manor, where her husband grew up, she worked at Ossining’s Park School and Pleasantville’s Cottage School, but most hours were devoted to her children. She was a Girl Scout Leader and worked closely with the PTA. Barbara loved her 20-plus year singing role with the Briarcliff Congregational Church Choir. She was also a founder of the church’s Caring Committee that has offered a helping hand where needed for almost 40 years.
Barbara was also devoted to the PEO Sisterhood, a group devoted to the advancement of higher education for women. A member for over 35 years, she was twice President of her Pleasantville Chapter. In 1988, she led her sisters in hosting PEO’s New York State Convention of nearly 70 chapters at Marymount College in Tarrytown.
Three tragedies in her life never stopped her. On Palm Sunday, 1955, her parents died in a six-person drowning accident off Ocean City, Maryland. She was 20. In December 1985, 30 years later, her first-born son, Tommy, was killed in a car accident outside New Orleans. In late 2015, 30 years after that, she started to develop memory lapses eventually leading to her demise from vascular dementia five years later.
She never lost her strength of character. Barbara was always ready with a smile, a hug, pat on the back or new idea to help move things forward. Her humanity and care were always up front. Now with the angels, she'll be good company.
Albert Schweitzer said: “Life becomes harder for us when we live for others, but it also becomes richer and happier.” For Barbara Vincent, there were no “others.” There was just one great big “us.” May she rest in Peace.
Present plans include a Memorial Service and Reception for Barbara at the Briarcliff Congregational Church on Saturday, September 12th -- her 86th Birthday. More details as the changing situation allows. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the church would be most appreciated by the family.