Barbara Fellows

Cobleskill- Barbara Jo Fellows passed away on July 21, 2016, in her home in Cobleskill NY in the company of her family.

Barbara was born on September 22, 1941 in Olney, Illinois; her father, Robert A. Fellows, was a geologist working with an oil company so the family moved several times, to Billings, MO, and Denver, CO. She obtained her Bachelor's Degree in Music Education at Beloit College in Wisconsin.

She was married and for many years lived in Seneca Falls, NY with her husband Rick Kuempel and two daughters, Libby and Dey (Debbie). She earned her Master's Degree in Special Education at the University of Rochester. She later earned her Master's of Divinity at Colgate Rochester Divinity School, in Rochester, NY and became an Elder in the United Methodist Church. She was a Pastor in East Varrick NY, and in Palmyra NY.

Barb and Rick divorced in 1989 and Barb became the chaplain at Nazareth College in Pittsford, NY. She moved to Colorado in 1992 and married Michael Thrash in 1997.

She lived in several places in Colorado for the next 18 years, always surrounded by many wonderful friends. In Montrose, she started a book club, and enjoyed spending time making jewelry and teaching others. She published her book entitled, "Crossroads Choices: Confronting Chaos" in 2000. She was divorced in 2011. In 2012, Barb moved back to NY to live in Cobleskill, in order to be closer to her daughters, granddaughters, and extended family.

Cobleskill became home to her very quickly; she worked part time at the Community Library, a job she truly loved. She became involved in the Cobleskill United Methodist Church, where she was active in several different committees and groups, such as the book club. She took Yoga, enjoyed spending time knitting, writing, and reading. She was on the board of the SCHOOL program at SUNY Cobleskill, and loved both taking and teaching classes.

Barb was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer in March of 2016. The illness was aggressive and the time remaining was short, but there were still many opportunities for Barb to do what she did best, which was connecting with people. Her family and many friends were blessed to be in the presence of her gentle, kind heart. Barb's spiritual philosophies were immersed with themes of hope and peace; we know with absolute certainty that the hopefulness of her strong faith has guided her well, and that she is now at peace.

Barb is survived by her two daughters: Libby Kuempel (Keith) Hammecker of Warnerville and Dey Summer "Debbie Kuempel" of Boston, MA; two granddaughters: Cassidy Jo and Caitlin Amanda Hammecker both of Warnerville; her mother: Priscilla (Wolcott) Fellows of Santa Maria, CA; and three brothers: Richard, Thomas, and Leland Fellows.

A celebration of Barbara's life will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, August 6, 2016 at Cobleskill United Methodist Church, 107 Chapel St., Cobleskill with Rev. Pamela Mikel Hayes officiating. A social hour will be held immediately following in the church social hall.

Memorial donations can be made to Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 125 Granite Dr., Suite 1, Cobleskill, NY 12043 or United Methodist Church, 107 Chapel St., Suite 1, Cobleskill, NY 12043.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Mereness-Putnam Funeral Home, 171 Elm St., Cobleskill and Palmer & Shaylor Funeral Home of Middleburgh.