Obituary of Barbara W. Wirth

Age 93, of Elmira, NY passed away on November 10, 2018 surrounded by her family. Barbara was born on May 7, 1925 in Brooklyn, NY and grew up in Summit, NJ the daughter of Charles and Maude (Blanchard) Wheelock. She married Richard Wirth on April 12, 1958 and was predeceased by him on March 4, 1992. Barbara is survived by her children, Susan (Trent) Coombs of Horsham, PA; R. Martin Wirth Jr. of Ventnor, NJ; Nancy (Mike) Love of Richmond, VA and Thomas (Charlotte) Wirth of Elmira, NY; grandchildren, Jonathan Coombs; Jason and Megan Love; Genevieve, Thomas (Toby) and Madeleine Wirth; sister and brother-in-law Joan (Lloyd) Hobson; and several nieces and nephews. Barbara attended Kent Place School and Elmira College graduating in 1947 with a dual major in Chemistry and Biology. She acquired many lifelong friends from both schools. Following graduation, Barbara started an 11 year career at Sloan Kettering Institute. She was always proud to have been one of the first employees hired in their cancer research lab where she began work as a lab assistant and later became the research director of their chemotherapy division. Upon her marriage Barbara returned to Elmira and started her family. In 1970 Barbara returned to school attending nights and weekends at SUNY Geneseo pursuing her masters in Library Science, which she completed in 1974. Barbara's second career was a school librarian at Parley Coburn Junior High School in the Elmira City School District for twenty years. Barbara also spent her time volunteering in various organizations throughout the community including American Cancer Society, Arnot Art Museum, Catholic Charities and Steele Memorial Library. She was a member of AAUW, Junior League of Greater Elmira-Corning Area, Athenaeum Club and Wednesday Morning Club. She was also a Daughter of American Revolution (DAR). Following retirement Barbara traveled the world with her friends. In the last few years she moved into Woodbrook and remained active coordinating many activities including book club and bridge. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Patrick's Church, Elmira, NY on Thursday, November 15, 2018 at 10:00 a.m., where she was a long time parishioner. Memorials in Barbara's name may be made to, Woodbrook Assisted Living Residence, 1250 Maple Avenue, Elmira NY 14904 or CareFirst, 3805 Meads Creek Road, Painted Post 14870.