Obituary of Barbara S. Gough

Barbara Sue (Marrinan) Gough, 85, of Wappingers Falls, died on June 10th, 2023, at her home, with her son Kevin at her side, after experiencing swallowing difficulty stemming from a long history of stroke recovery since 2011 and recent hospitalizations from January to March of this year.

Barbara was born on November 1st, 1937, in Bethany, Oklahoma to Horace Marrinan Sr. and Lenora Babcock. She married Eugene D. Gough in 1955. Before moving to Wappingers Falls, they lived in California and Oregon where she gave birth to their four children. In New York, she raised her family and helped raise her three grandchildren. During the 60s and 70s, she volunteered at Vassar Brothers Hospital. She became well-known for treating her grandchildren to her famous chocolate chip cookies, earning her the nickname "Grammy Cookie".

Barbara greatly enjoyed living in the Hudson Valley. Among her favorite places to visit were the Vanderbilt Estate, Mills Mansion, Olana Historic Site, and the Art Center at Vassar College. Her love of landscapes and nature inspired her to develop an interest in drawing, photography, and painting which culminated in the pursuit of a degree in Advertising and Commercial Art from Dutchess Community College. She graduated with her degree in 2002 just before turning 65.

Barbara faced several health changes during her life and fought them with bravery and determination to remain an active and influential part of her family members' lives. Her resilience in the face of these challenges, her pursuit of education, her example of volunteerism, and her love and affection as a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother will forever be inspirational.

Barbara is survived by her children Kathryn Aldrich, Kelly Gough, and Kevin Gough; three grandchildren, Joshua (Danae) Gough, Daniel Aldrich, and Aiden Lynn; four-year-old great-grandson, Samuel Gough, whom she was able to see just a week before her passing; two of her sisters, Kathy and Helen, and their descendants; neighbors and friends from DiMarco Place Senior Residences where she lived independently for over 20 years. Preceding Barbara in death were her youngest daughter, Kara Lynn, sisters Mary Alice and Mildred Ann, and her brother Horace Jr.

Family and friends will gather between 11:00AM and 12:00PM on Monday, 6/19/2023 at Straub, Catalano & Halvey Funeral Home, 55 E Main St, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590. A Funeral Service will be held at 12:00PM at the funeral home.