Phyllis C. Barber

ALBANY – Phyllis C. Barber, 84, of Albany, passed away on Monday, September 4, 2023, at St. Peter’s Hospital.  Phyllis was born in the Bronx and lived in Buffalo as a small child before settling in Albany.  She was a graduate of Albany High School and Cornell University, and earned her master’s degree at Russell Sage College.  She was employed for many years by the New York State Dept. of Social Services and was very active in the community.  She was an advocate for peace during the Vietnam War and helped found day care at the former Kenwood Academy.  She also organized benefit concerts for the day care.  Phyllis was an avid dog trainer and trained her border collies to be show dogs.  She also enjoyed photography and participated in knitting groups making articles for good causes.

Phyllis was predeceased by her son Ronald Lee Barber, Jr.  She is survived by her son Richard H. Barber (Margaret Barrows) of Albany; her daughter Deborah J. Barber (Thomas Decker) of Hillsdale; her daughter-in-law Dale Lukaszewski of Highland; her grandchildren Sarah and Rachel Barber, Sean Decker (Elizabeth), Kevin Decker (Olivia Duran) and Kate Decker; her nephew Andrew Keenan (Wendy); and her niece Jenna Powers (Tom).  She was also predeceased by her sister Joan Keenan and Joan’s husband Edward.

Funeral services will be held in the Hans Funeral Home, 1088 Western Ave., Albany, Friday evening, September 15^th, at 6:00 p.m.  Relatives and friends are invited, and may call at the funeral home Friday, prior to the service from 4-6 p.m.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the national Planned Parenthood organization, or to the Mohawk-Hudson Humane Society.  To leave a message of condolence for the family or obtain directions to the funeral home, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com.