Barbara A. Savage

BLOOMFIELD – Barbara A. Savage, 90, of Bloomfield, died unexpectedly on Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, at the Catholic Medical Center in Manchester, after a sudden illness. She was born on Dec. 2, 1930, in Bloomfield, a daughter to the late Harry and Stella (Ramsay) Savage. She went to the Bloomfield and Stratford schools and was a 1948 graduate of Stratford High School. After high school, Barbara went to nursing school in Boston and then joined the U.S. Army and saw duty in Texas and later Japan, where she helped to treat war casualties from the Korean conflict. After her military service, Barbara was a resident of St. Joseph, Missouri, but returned to Bloomfield for three years. During that time, she worked in surgery at the Coos County Hospital and was an active local leader for 4-H. She later moved to Springfield, Missouri, and was employed by the Red Cross for 25 years. She was the first LPN to be involved with the Red Cross Bloodmobiles. In addition to that work, she oversaw the building of the Christmas floats for the Red Cross and organized their fundraising carnival. As a member of the Charity Belles, Barbara donated countless hours to school children, homeless people, and hospitals. For her work and community service, she received many awards, including ones from Elizabeth Dole and President Ronald Reagan. Even after retirement, she was instrumental in getting others to provide community service. She also started the Community Blood Center of the Ozarks. Later in life, Barbara returned to her family home in Bloomfield. There she was known as “the porch lady” for her time spent with local friends and visiting with friends from Missouri, all who can attest to her kindness and generosity. She is survived by two sisters, Faye Young of Whitefield, and Beverly Kettle of North Stratford; and ten special nieces and nephews and their families. She also leaves many friends, both locally and throughout the country. She is preceded in death by a brother, Paul Savage, and a sister, Florence Mummey. Memorial calling hours will be at the Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home in Colebrook on Wednesday, Sept. 8, from 6 to 8 p.m. A memorial service will be held the next morning, Thursday, Sept. 9, at 11 a.m. at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Colebrook, with interment and military honors to immediately follow at Fairview Cemetery in North Stratford. Expressions of sympathy in memory of Ms. Savage may be made to St. Jude’s Research Hospital for Children online at www.stjude.org; or to the American Red Cross at www.redcross.org. Condolences may be offered to the family on-line by going to www.jenkinsnewman.com. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care of Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home.

Barbara A. Savage

December 2, 1930 - August 28, 2021