Barbara Birch
READSBORO- Barbara Ellen (Phelps) Birch, 92, died on Monday, March 1, at her home. She was born on October 11, 1928, in North Adams, MA, a daughter of the late Howard and Lillian (Tatro) Phelps.
Mrs. Birch was the widow of Clinton Edward Birch Sr. She was primarily a homemaker and cared for her family of nine children. She was a very active member in her community. She was a longtime member of the Readsboro First Baptist Church, for well over 65 years. She was a member of the Church Council, a member of the Ladies Fellowship, and a chairwoman of the church’s annual Harvest Festival. She assisted with coordinating and organizing the Council on Aging meals each month at the church. She was an active, 34-year member of the Readsboro Lions Club. She was a trustee for the Readsboro Community Library where she worked many years as the librarian. She also was a member of the American Legion Post 29 Ladies Auxiliary, and a member of the South Readsboro Community Club.
Mrs. Birch will most certainly be missed by her family as well as the community for her many contributions, her unique and second-to-none phone calling, and organizational efforts. She was very proud of her little town of Readsboro, as was evident by her constant dedication to the community she loved.
Mrs. Birch leaves her children, Bonnie Lee Nadeau and her husband James Nadeau; Sharon Irene Bird and her late husband Steven Bird Sr.; Gary Allen Birch and his wife Charlotte Birch; Nancy Ellen Baker and her husband Douglas Baker; Martha Jane Mason and her husband Richard Mason; Sue Ann Lawrence and her husband Clive Lawrence; Diane Marlene Williams; and Clinton Edward Birch Jr. and his wife Susan Birch.
She also leaves her grandchildren, Jennifer (Nadeau) Willis, Jody (Nadeau) Dodge, Abigail Birch, Julie (Bird) McKenney, Steven Bird Jr., Kevin Birch, Lisa (Birch) Janovsky, Sarah (Baker) Charlebois, Katherine (Baker) Flood, Jared Baker, Gabriel Rice, Estelle (Rice) Reynolds, Jesse Rice, Louis Zucchi, Barbara Zucchi, Kris Lawrence, Dineia Williams, Clinton Birch III, and Scott Birch. And her many, many great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Birch leaves her sisters Mary Ann Moon and Mildred Brewer.
She was preceded in death by her husband Clinton Birch Sr.; son William “Billy” Birch who died on February 10, 2021; grandson Benjamin Birch; son-in-law Steven Bird Sr; as well as her siblings Clayton Phelps, Ronald Phelps, Richard Phelps, Marjorie Phelps, Elizabeth Trombley, and Norma Brown.
There will be joint funeral services for Mrs. Birch and her son William Birch on May 22 at 10 am at the First Baptist Church in Readsboro. Then, at the Readsboro Village Cemetery a burial for Mrs. Birch as well as a military burial for William Birch will occur. William’s son Benjamin Birch will also be laid to rest next to William in a double urn. A luncheon will follow the services at the Readsboro Lions Park, served by members of the First Baptist Church.
In lieu of flowers for Mrs. Birch donations can be made to the Readsboro First Baptist Church, PO Box 333, Readsboro, VT 05350. Flynn & Dagnoli Funeral Home of North Adams, MA, is entrusted with the arrangements. To add to the book of memories visit www.flynndagnolifuneralhomes.com.
