Obituary of Barbara Stilwell

Barbara Estey Stilwell Canandaigua- Barbara Estey Stilwell, 89, passed away on July 8, 2012 with family members present. Barbara was born on October 10, 1922 in Clifton Springs, the daughter of S. Earl Estey and Mabel Bloodgood Estey. She spent her early years in Geneva, living at the family home on the West St., where the present Elementary School now stands. Barbara graduated from Geneva High School in 1940. She then attended Miami University of Ohio, where she was a member of Delta Gamma Sorority. With the beginning of WWII, Barbara moved first to St. Louis and later, Chicago. She joined in the war effort working for Amertorp Corporation, a newly formed company providing highly essential naval ordinance. In mid-1945 she returned to Geneva. At the same time, her future husband, Stuart was returning from the war in Europe. And although they had known each other since early childhood, they started dating for the first time. They immediately fell in love. They married at Trinity Church, Geneva on June 7, 1947 during his senior year at Syracuse University. Barbara is survived by her husband of 65 years; two daughters, Pamela (Rodger) Gardner, of Canandaigua, and Ann E. Stilwell, of Newark; two granddaughters, Sarah (Tommy) Chen, Julie Gardner; and great-grandchildren, Madeline and Alexander Chen, all of Maryland. Barbara’s devotion to family, quiet strength and feminine ways served as a wonderful example for her daughters and granddaughters. She was a lifetime Episcopalian and member of Trinity Church, Geneva. When her youngest daughter, Ann, was diagnosed with Autism, she and her husband joined with other parents in the late 50’s to advocate for the developmentally disabled. Needed services or regular schooling, were simply non-existent. She continued to devote much of her life to her handicapped daughter and other family members. An 11 a.m. memorial service for family will be held Saturday July 21at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Canandaigua. Interment at Sand Hill Cemetery will be at the family’s convenience. Arrangements are under the care of Fuller Funeral Home, Inc. Canandaigua. Remembrances may be sent to: Autism Speaks 1060 State Rd 2nd Fl Princeton, NJ 08540 Monday July 2, 2012, 11:00 a.m. at St. John's Episcopal Church Click for Map and Directions