Barbara Fickling

04/28/2006

Barbara Fickling, 80, of 31 Kenilworth St. died of cancer Friday at Berkshire Medical Center. Born in Newton on April 12, 1926, daughter of Walter and Martha Powers Young, she moved to Guilderland, N.Y., as a child and, later, Slingerlands, N.Y. She was a 1943 graduate of Albany Academy for Girls and a 1947 graduate of Bryn Mawr College, where she received a bachelor's degree in history. After college, she moved to New York, where she was employed by the former Roper Research Associates as an assistant to pollster Lou Harris. Mrs. Fickling was employed by Miss Hall's School for 18 years as school registrar, retiring in 2004. Before that, she worked at the Berkshire County chapter of the American Red Cross as a blood drive coordinator and at the former City Savings Bank as manager of the Williams Street branch. She was a communicant of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church and a member of its choir, vestry, altar guild and worship committee. She also served as a lay eucharistic minister and as a lector. She was head of the parish prayer chain, active in Cursillo and volunteered at St. Stephen's Table. Mrs. Fickling served on the boards of the Junior League of Berkshire County, the Berkshire Museum, the BMC Hospital Auxiliary and the PEO Sisterhood, a philanthropic organization of women founded in 1869. She enjoyed all sports, especially tennis, and was Berkshire County ladies' singles tennis champion multiple times in the 1960s. She also enjoyed knitting, playing board and card games, and reading. Her husband, the Rev. John Mebane Fickling, whom she married Sept. 6, 1952, in York Harbor, Maine, died Nov. 22, 2001. They lived briefly in Green Cove Springs, Fla., and in Newport, R.I., until settling in Pittsfield in 1956. She leaves a son, John M. Fickling Jr. of Havertown, Pa.; three daughters, Deborah Fickling of Charmita, N.M., Anne Brainard of Washington, D.C., and Martha Fickling of Pittsfield, with whom she resided, and four grandchildren. FUNERAL NOTICE -- A Liturgy of Christian Burial for Barbara Young Fickling will be celebrated Wednesday, May 3 at 11 at St. Stephen's Church in Pittsfield by the Rev. Hannah Anderson, rector. Interment will be private. Calling hours will be Tuesday, May 2, from 4 to 7 at WELLINGTON FUNERAL HOME. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the music program at St. Stephen's Church or to Miss Hall's School, both in care of the funeral home, 220 East St., Pittsfield, MA 01201. She also leaves three granddaughters, Christine, Sarah and Samantha Fickling, and a grandson, Christopher Brainard; three nieces, Margaret Young, Jenny du Pont and Sarah Imbert, and a nephew, Llewellyn Young. She was blessed to have had many friends in her life and will be greatly missed by those she leaves behind. Her family is grateful to have been able to celebrate her 80th birthday with her and offers many thanks to those who helped make this occasion special. May God bless her and keep her safe.

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Barbara Fickling

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Still miss you, Mom . . .
from: Debby	on: 05-25-2023