Barbara (Clift) Gribbins was born 105 years ago in Woodbury, NJ, and died peacefully at her home at Cabot Park Village in Newton, MA, on April 16, 2024, beloved and cherished.

From the time of her birth in 1919, Barbara was an intelligent, enthusiastic and committed participant in the historic events that changed the course of the nation, from the women's right-to-vote amendment, the Great Depression, the Civil Rights movement, anti-war rallies and the historic 2017 Women's Rights march on the Boston Common. That day on the Common, surrounded by three generations of female progeny, she waved a sign reminding everyone of the positive trajectory of the moral arc.

Barbara was the first child of George and Hildur (Nelson) Clift, and along with her younger brother, Robert, relocated often as her father sought work during the Great Depression. Through the difficult times, Barbara's mom, Hildur, lifted spirits and promoted the habit of counting blessings. Barbara adopted that trait and passed it along to her own family.

In 1943, Barbara married Edmund Randolph Williams, with whom she had three children: Edmund Randolph Jr. (Chip), Christine and Thomas. Edmund Sr. died young, leaving Barbara to raise her children alone. As with all her endeavors, she faced the future with courage and the belief that world can be a place of joy.

With her children launched, Barbara married Myers Gribbins (Grib), an executive with the Dupont Company in Wilmington, DE, and became stepmother to Grib's five children. Barbara and Grib relocated to Coral Gables, Florida, where they lived for the next 32 years, and traveled the world. Barbara adapted easily to the semi-tropical climate and loved sharing her enchanting home with visiting family and friends.

After Grib died in 2010, Barbara, now 92, relocated to Cabot Park Village to be near her family, once again making a seamless transition to the northern temperatures and culture. She valued the new friendships she made at Cabot and became a central figure in the lives of her children, grand children and great grand children. She also became adept with computers, using its wonders to keep in touch with family and friends in far away places, including family members in New Zealand.

Barbara is survived by her children, Chip and his wife Hess of New Zealand, Tom and his wife Holly of Oregon, and Chris and her husband Jim of Concord, MA. She also leaves four of her five step children, Ron, Ann, Karen, and Sue and numerous grandchildren and great grand children.

Barbara imparted to all who knew her the ability to find humor, joy, and beauty in every situation and to see the inherent goodness in everyone she met.

A celebration of life will be held privately. Barbara will be laid to rest at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Concord, MA.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Barbara's name to the Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome Registry , a group of researchers and clinicians committed to accelerating the pace of discovery for treatments and therapies of SDS.

Arrangements are entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord.