Kathleen T. Barton

Kathleen T. Barton, age 91, of Wilmington, DE, passed away peacefully on Monday, May 29, 2023 surrounded by her family. Kathy was born in 1931 to the late John Ernest & Sarah V. Townsend. She graduated from Conrad High School and completed courses at Beacom College before marrying H. Dudley Barton with whom she shared 57 years of marriage. She was a beloved wife, mother and grandmother.

Kathy’s favorite role in life was being MomMom to her two granddaughters, Sarah and Katie. In their early years she cared for them on weekdays as their parents worked, forming strong and lasting bonds. She attended their dance recitals, softball games, plays and spoiled them endlessly. MomMom was their constant cheerleader and was proud of the women they became.

Kathy was a woman of faith and regularly attended Red Clay Creek Presbyterian Church, which was the church she attended as a child.

As Kathy and Dudley raised their children, they spent many family vacations in Ocean City, NJ, enjoyed ski vacations with family and friends and in later years they enjoyed spending time by the water of the Elk River relaxing, boating and going for long walks with dear friends. Kathy cherished her decades-long friendships with her Trinity Presbyterian Church friends and dear friends from her Brandywood neighborhood.

Kathy enjoyed singing especially with family and accompanied by a piano. She was still singing during the last few months of her life with a group of her elderly friends.

Along with both of her parents, Kathy was preceded in death by her husband, H. Dudley Barton and her brother John V. Townsend. She is survived by her son, Keith Barton; her daughter, Cynthia Rafferty and son-in-law Bill Rafferty, who she cherished as a son; her granddaughters, Sarah and Katie Barton; the mother of her granddaughters, Katherine Barton; her brother and sister-in-law, Donald & Georgie Townsend; her sister, Lillian Karwowski; and her nieces and nephews.

Interment will be held privately for the family and a memorial service for Kathy will be held on Saturday, June 10 at 11am at Red Clay Creek Presbyterian Church, 500 McKennans Church Rd, Wilmington, DE 19808.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made in Kathy’s name to Red Clay Creek Presbyterian Church or The Ministry of Caring Inc., 115 East 14th Street, Wilmington, DE 19801.

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