Barbara Thibodo

Barbara Thibodo

SALISBURY — Barbara Thibodo, 82, of Salisbury, died July 16, 2020, with her two daughters by her side. 

One of nine children of Helen (Pagnac) Westberg, she was born in northern Minnesota in 1937 and graduated from Minnesota State University Moorhead. She taught social studies and English while earning her Master of Science in Library and Information Science, which she obtained from Long Island University in 1972. 

She was a resident of Sharon for more than 40 years and the sometimes stern, but beloved librarian at Stissing Mountain Junior/Senior High School in Pine Plains for the bulk of her career. There, she also did stints as the quiz bowl team coach and the president of the teachers union.

From a deep commitment to the feminist movement to actively supporting local Democratic candidates to regularly attending the weekly Salisbury vigil (even during cancer treatments in the pandemic) and national protest marches, she was a strong advocate for social justice throughout her life. 

A dedicated volunteer with Women’s Support Services for 25 years, she served on the board and the hotline, as well as recruiting volunteers and organizing fundraisers. In “retirement,” she spent 15 years working as a part-time library assistant at the Hotchkiss Library of Sharon, where she delighted in keeping the collections and staff organized. She also enjoyed volunteering at local public school libraries.

She was an active member of three book clubs, avid gardener, world traveler, devoted yoga student, and skilled and generous quilter and sewer who crafted and donated quilts for military veterans, dresses for African girls, and costumes for productions at the Sharon Playhouse.

She was predeceased by her husband, Jerome Cramp, and is survived by her daughters Karen and Stacey Cramp; her son-in-law, Scott Douglas; and six siblings and their families. 

She will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by her family and wide circle of friends for her generosity, kindness, wry humor, intellect, energy, quirkiness, optimism, steadfastness and forthrightness. Her loved ones will continue to be inspired by her life devoted to helping others.

Due to the pandemic, a private memorial service will be held. Donations in her name can be made to the American Civil Liberties Union (www.aclu.org).

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