Barbara Thompson

Barbara Thompson, 93, of Saugerties, NY, passed away on Tuesday October 27, 2026. She was born on March 14, 1933, daughter of the late Udell and Vivian (Pinkerton) Young.

Barbara married Henry B. Thompson, Jr., in 1952, they were married for 48 years until Henry passed away in 2001. She was a graduate of the Emma Willard School in Troy and Endicott College in Beverly, MA.

Barbara loved gardening from a very early age. She always found peace and balance when working in her gardens. She passed that love on to her children and grandchildren. In 1969 she ventured into the world of sheep and wool as the family purchased their first sheep, which would grow into a flock of 20. She had always been a knitter but now dove into the world of spinning, weaving and natural dying. She was one of the founders of the New York State Sheep and Wool Festival. She continued weaving and knitting until the end of her life. History and tracing families’ genealogy always fascinated her. She was the town of Milan historian and spent many hours archiving materials while volunteering at Historic Red Hook. She authored two books about Milan and the residents of the town.

She is survived by her children, Jeff (Carolyn) Thompson, Henry (Dale) Thompson III, Frances Thompson, Jennifer (Dale) Hobson, Thomas (Kathy) Thompson, her grandchildren, Sarah (Steven) Murray, Michael (Caroline) Thompson, Kate (Rob) Becker, Nate Horowitz, Meg (Tom) Petersen, Amelia (Ryan) Braden, Ellie (Kyle) Marburger, Mark (Marianne) Hobson, Tasha Findley, and Samantha (TJ) Pickeral, 17 great grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was predeceased by her sons, James Thompson and Timothy Thompson, as well as two sisters and one brother.

The family would like to thank the fourth floor nurses and doctors at WMC Health Alliance Hospital as well as the staff at Hudson Valley Hospice.

Arrangements are entrusted to Keyser Funeral & Cremation Service, 326 Albany Avenue, Kingston, NY 12401, where family and friends may visit on Monday November 2, 2026, from 4pm to 7pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30am on Tuesday November 3, 2026, at St. Mary of the Snow, 36 Cedar St., Saugerties, NY 12477 with burial following in Mount Marion Cemetery, Mount Marion, NY.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Historic Red Hook at www.historicredhook.org/donate A tribute for Barbara can be found at www.KeyserFuneralService.com, where you may leave memories and expressions of sympathy for her family.