Barbara Garrett

Barbara Frith Garrett passed away peacefully at the Cayuga Medical Center in Ithaca, NY on January 3, 2020.

Born on March 22, 1928, she was the daughter of the late George and Helen (Lobdell) Frith.

Barb was a Fallcreeker from birth and had a passion for the neighborhood throughout her life. Being the daughter of the superintendent of the fire alarms, she was raise with a fire bell over her bed. She knew where every fire was in the area by the ring of that bell. She was quite a historian, sharing stories of people, places and things in and around Ithaca, back in the day.

Barb married the love of her life, John W. Garrett Jr. and together they build their home and lives from the ground up.

They fell in love on a cold winter night on Beebe Lake when “Bud” laced her ice skates when she was 14.

Bud and Barb loved to travel around the country in one of their many conversion vans. Bud at the wheel, a cigar in his mouth, and Barb navigating.  They met interesting people and enjoyed singing songs and enjoying each other’s company. They were together until his passing in 2001.

In the late 1950s Barb was a switchboard operator at Tompkins County Hospital. She took time off to raise her children and returned to Cayuga Medical Center, retiring as a billing clerk.

If you were loved by “Ma Garrett”, you were loved unconditionally. Her home was always open to anyone needing guidance or a comforting word. Many pots of coffee were drank in the early morning hours with neighbor and close friend, Dorothy Delibro. They were often seen together at many festivals around the area. Her favorite times were when they attended the Grassroots Festival.

Barb was predeceased by her parents, loving husband, sister, Dorothy and brother-in-law, Joe Komarmi, infant son, Paul and recently son, Skip Garrett.

She leaves behind her devoted daughter, Sheryl Garrett (Ed Haight); grandson, Garrett Mayo; great grandsons Sawn and Cameron Mayo; Grandson Billy Garrett; granddaughters, Angela (Jim) Miller, Krista (Jeff) Williams; great granddaughter, Lynette (Pat) Lee; great grandson, Rick (Clarissa); great grandson, Ivan Williams; and special daughter-in-law, Joy Reester.

She will be missed by many cherished nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family and friends. She was truly a people person and was loved by so many.

Keeping with her wishes she will be cremated and a family and friends gathering will be announced in the spring.

Arrangements are under the direction of Bangs Funeral Home, Inc.

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