Back to Message Board

Barbara Thayer Maher - Class of 1959

Submitted by Bill Norvell 1965 <w.norvell@att.net> on 04/Feb/2022
184.88.208.154

    Barbara A. Thayer Maher of Newburgh, NY passed away peacefully with her children by her side after a very short illness on Thursday February 3rd at St. Luke's Hospital in Newburgh. She was 80. She was pre-deceased by her loving husband of 44 years Michael V. Maher in 2006.

Born in Newburgh on May 3rd 1941 to the late Frank and Marion (Snyder) Thayer, Barbara was the youngest of eight children and was pre-deceased by Frank C. Thayer, Virginia A. (Thayer) Glassey, Betty "Aunt Bee" (Thayer) Slenker, Vivian (Thayer) Hall, Clifton Thayer, Jack Thayer and Patricia Marion Thayer.

Barbara was always the gatherer and wanted family around as much as possible and showered them with love and affection. She would always offer to cook a meal, make some cookies, pick someone up or run an errand for her children, grand-children, neighbors or friends. Never in the last 50 years was there a Christmas morning that all would not gather at the house to open presents and for her to cook breakfast for everyone. All while getting food ready for the Christmas dinner. Barbara was a very active participant in the daily lives of her grandchildren Jessica, Kevin and Tegan and they adored their "Gram" as did all of their friends over the years. She was so elated to welcome her great-grandson Milo in September of last year. She cherished her family and she will be greatly missed by all.

Barbara graduated Newburgh Free Academy in 1959 and went on to work for GMAC and then took a break when she had children to be a stay at home mom where she raised Michael, Michele and Melissa.

After they started school, she went to work for the Newburgh Enlarged Central School District, first in the guidance office then over to the special education department from the early 70's up until her retirement end of 2005. Even after retiring, they would call her back to help part time. It was well known if you needed help placing your child in a certain school or class, Barbara was the person to call and make it happen. She always worked hard to make sure these young children were given the best opportunity to thrive in school.

The last couple years did have some setbacks. She had a knee replacement in the fall of 2019 and then took off for a "Christmas Vacation" type family trip to Walt Disney World at Christmas in December of 2019, where shortly after she came down with what we can only assume was one of the first cases of Covid as there were no tests at the time. She struggled for a couple weeks in the hospital but came back stronger than ever. Then during the Covid lockdown, she had to go back in the hospital as the replacement knee had somehow gotten infected and had to be replaced. A short 6 months later and she goes in for open heart surgery for a valve replacement. Each time bouncing back.

You would think all these medical issues would have her homebound. Not Barbara. Spring of 2021 she informs her children that she and her great friend Diane Conway are taking a "Thelma and Louise" road trip down the East Coast and ultimately to Florida for a couple weeks. Wait..what!! Yes….so the children planned the route down to every turn and of course put a GPS tracker on her phone.

Barbara is survived by her son Michael and his wife Magrit, two daughters, Michele Newcomb and her husband Keith and their children Jessica Dauer and her husband Zak and their son Milo, Kevin Newcomb and his girlfriend Krissy Morgan, Melissa Maher and her daughter Tegan Thayer Maher, all of Newburgh, along with many nieces and nephews, especially Carol Maida as they spent many days together.

Special thanks to the Town of Newburgh Emergency Medical Services and St. Luke's Hospital Emergency Room staff and ICU staff. A heartfelt thanks to ICU Nurse Jared, ICU Nurse Supervisor Jenna and also ICU Nurse Ester who went above and beyond to make this terrible time as calming and dignified as possible. For this you have our eternal gratitude.

Visitation will be from 1-5 pm on Sunday, February 6th, with a short service at 4:30 pm at Brooks Funeral Home, 481 Gidney Ave., Newburgh. Immediately following the services a Celebration of Life will take place at Cronomer Valley Fire Department located at 296 North Plank Road Newburgh, NY 12550 where all are invited to attend.

Memorial donations in Barbara's name can be made to Town of Newburgh Emergency Medical Services, 97 South Plank Road Newburgh, NY 12550; or to Cronomer Valley Fire Department, 296 North Plank Road Newburgh, NY 12550. - May 3, 1941 ~ February 3, 2022