Barbara Jane Girodias died peacefully at her family homestead on Sunday, April 28, 2024, surrounded by family. She was 94.

She was born on Sept. 16, 1929 in Brooklyn, New York to the late Lester and Grace (née Sand) Hearn. She lived on Long Island and graduated from Hempstead High School in 1947.

“She remembered her summers growing up being spent at the family farm in Knox,” her family wrote in a tribute, “where she attended charade parties and square dances at the old schoolhouse (where the fire department now sits).

“She later attended the University of Vermont in Burlington where she graduated in 1951 with a bachelor of arts degree in history, with a minor in education. She worked for three years for Nassau County as a welfare case worker.

“Barbara later met her husband, Rene, and they were married at the Cathedral of Incarnation in Garden City, New York on Nov. 6, 1954. They continued to live on Long Island, raising their family, before moving to the Knox farm in 1982, after Rene retired.

“They loved to travel together; visiting France twice, and taking several cruises together in the Caribbean; one of which occurred during the height of the Cuban Missile Crisis. They often took mini-vacations to Lewis County, New York for several days.

“For many years, Barbara and Rene enjoyed antiquing together, and even rented a space in Kinderhook, New York to sell their items, which they were very successful at.

“She was an avid genealogist, tracing her family’s history back to the original settlers of the farm. She located distant relatives all across the United States. Her research led to a connection to President Martin Van Buren.

“She was an enthusiastic reader of historical books, and her family thought she should have been a contestant on Jeopardy! due to her vast knowledge in a wide array of topics.”

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Barbara Jane Girodias is survived by her children, Ken Girodias and his wife, Kathy, of Cary, North Carolina and Susan VonHaugg of Knox.

She is also survived by her six grandchildren: Ellen Girodias of Scottsdale, Arizona; Ben Girodias of Seattle, Washington; Matthew VonHaugg and his wife, Cindy, of Knox; Joshua VonHaugg and his wife, Colby, of Coon Rapids, Minnesota; Marleana VonHaugg of Knox; and Tarah VonHaugg of Knox. She was set to become a great-grandmother in May.

Her parents, Lester and Grace (née Sand) Hearn, and her brother, Fred Hearn, died before her.

Calling hours will be held at the Knox Reformed Church on Thursday, May 9, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., followed by a service at 12:30 p.m. A private burial will follow at the Knox Cemetery.

“As a loving pet owner herself, Barbara always looked forward to WTEN’s Pet Connection with Steve Caporizzo,” her family wrote. “In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society at https://mohawkhumane.org/donate.”