Barbara E. Rich

Barbara E. (Randall) Rich, 71, of Mansfield, wife of Peter W. Rich, died peacefully at home on March 10, 2013, after a long and courageous battle with cancer treatment side effects. Barbara was born in Pawtucket, RI, and moved to CT as a child and in 1958 graduated from Windham High School where she excelled in synchronized swimming as a member of the Dolphin Club. She was a lifeguard growing up at Columbia Lake. She was also a Girl Scout. After becoming a mother she was a Cub Scout leader and a Girl Scout leader, eventually becoming Service Unit Chairman. She was president of the former Mansfield Nursery School and was a former member of the Mansfield Women's Club. Barbara was a talented seamstress and was known for baking a superb apple pie. She also loved camping, hummingbirds, gardening, flowers, and her pet parakeets. For 40 years Barbara and Peter worked side by side creating a lucrative real estate investment portfolio - Barbara was the financial manager. She was also a life member of The Hartford Club. Barbara was a kind and loving wife and mother. She had a sweet voice, never yelled, and always listened. She was a beautiful, intelligent and caring woman with a heart of gold. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her. In addition to her husband Peter, she is survived by her beloved daughter Leslie, her father Charles Randall of Columbia, her sister Susan of Florida, her sister Harriet of Canada, her brother Allan of Rhode Island, several nieces and nephews, and many other relatives. Barbara was predeceased by her mother, Florence Randall and by her beloved son, Peter. Jr. Her family will receive relatives and friends Tuesday, March 12, 2013 between 5:00 and 7:00m at Potter Funeral Home 456 Jackson St. (Rte. 195) Willimantic. Her funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday at 10:00am with interment following in New Willimantic Cemetery. For an online memorial guestbook, please visit www.potterfuneralhome.com .