On Oct. 1 Barbara W. Parson, 82, the beloved wife of Ralph S. Parson for 61 years, passed away peacefully at home in Clinton. She was born in East Hartford on Oct.30, 1931, to the late Sperry and Gladys Whitmore.

Barbara attended school in East Hartford and received her bachelor’s degree from UCONN. Her family spent many summers at the beach in Clinton before moving there year-round. It was here that she met Ralph, her best friend, companion, and loving husband of 61 amazing years.

Barbara played the piano, enjoyed knitting and many different kinds of crafts, but was an avid reader, birder, and gardener. Her formal and native gardens were home to many species of birds, which thrilled her to no end. She watched for birds wherever she was, and could name most by sight and/or their song.

She loved living at the beach, sitting on the deck watching the sailboat races, or walking by the water looking for shells and sea glass. But things always got exciting when a tropical storm came along! The salt in the air, and the high, wind-whipped waves were always exhilarating to her.

She was a member of numerous environmental, nature, and animal preservation and conservation groups. She believed that the natural world is a vital part of everyone’s life and should be preserved for generations to come. Her love of animals was evident in the home, where Wendi and Kent had numerous hamsters, fish, turtles, birds, cats, and dogs throughout their childhood!

Besides her husband Ralph, she also leaves her daughter Wendi of Winthrop, her son Kent and his wife Dina of Clinton, and her two incredible granddaughters Colleen and Caroline, both of Rhode Island. She also is survived by Mary Almundson, her closest friend of fifty years, and her daughters Lisa and Liv and their families, all of Minnesota.

A memorial celebration of Barbara’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Oct. 10 at the First Church of Christ Congregational, 366 Main St., Old Saybrook. A reception will follow.

If you have pictures or memories of Barbara that you would like to share, please contact Swan Funeral Home at philip.appell@dignitymemorial.com. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the charity of your choice in Barbara’s name. Please visit www.swanfh.com for online tributes and condolences.