Obituary of Barbara Stephenson Harding

Barbara Stephenson Harding passed away Monday, February 19th of complications from Pneumonia. Born in Savannah, Georgia on July 1, 1938, she is the daughter of the late Mary Virginia Rider-Herring. She was a local resident of Wappingers Falls since 1964. Barbara celebrated 57 years of marriage to the love of her life, Clifton Thomas Harding, Jr. She was truly a devoted wife, mother and Grandmother to her loving family and absolutely cherished her time with her five Grandchildren. She is a treasured friend. Barbara is survived by her husband Clif, son Clifton Thomas Harding, III and his two children, Christopher and Kelsey Harding, her daughter Ginger Harding- Wilson and her husband Christopher Donaldonson Wilson and their children Christopher Derek and Lily Maddalyn Wilson, and Justin David Harding, son of her late son William David Harding, and her brother Richard Rider Stephenson and his family. Barbara was a self starter and entrepreneur. She founded and worked as Broker/Owner of Barbara Harding Real Estate and served Dutchess County for 32 yrs in Real Estate. She served as the Chairman of the Ethic Committee for Dutchess Board of Realtors. She was a fundraiser volunteer for many charitable organization in her community. Additionally, Barbara served as the President of Women of Zion for the Zion Episcopal Church. She loved music and to sing. She played and taught guitar and started the folk mass. Barbara was a competitive sports woman, avid tennis player and golfer, and skied. She founded the first women's tennis tournament for The IBM Watson Trophy. She was an artist and loved tole painting. Barbara was a member of the Hudson Valley Tole and Decorative Painters and The Orange Blossom Decorative Artists, Chapter of the National Society of Decorative Painters. A church service will be held on Friday, March 2 at 11 a.m. at Christ and Holy Trinity Church located in Westport, Connecticut 06880 on 75 Church Lane. A luncheon with be served following at the same location in the Branson Hall. Donations would be appreciated in her honor to The Tiny Miracles Foundation at TTMF.org which supports Families of Preemies. Barbara survived her late Grandchild, Rider Oesterle Wilson, born July 5, 2001-July 7, 2001.