Donate in Memory of Barbara Rhodes Zinke
Obituary: Barbara Rhodes Zinke
Published in The Boston Globe on January 1, 2015
Zinke, Barbara Rhodes 85 of Briarcliff Manor, NY and Wellesley, MA, died peacefully in her home on December 29, 2014. She was the daughter of Margaret Duryee and A. Whitney Rhodes, of Englewood, NJ. A devoted mother and friend to her children Sandy, Cathy, Ginna, Bill and Julie, she was also a beloved grandmother to Jessica, Ben, Aaron, Lauren, Katie, Caitlin, Annlyn, Aasha, Alex, Sean, Maddy and Dylan. She is the sister of Douglas B. Rhodes and the ex-wife of William K. Zinke. She treasured her family and friends and was always more interested in the happiness and well-being of others than she was of herself.
She gathered her extended family, totaling nearly 40 adults and children, every July in Chatham, MA for a cherished week-long reunion that has become a family institution. She lived a healthy and vibrant life and was involved in many activities ranging from tennis at Sleepy Hollow Country Club in Tarrytown, NY to singing with the all-female Scarborough Singers group to being a church Deacon at Mt. Kisco Presbyterian Church in Mt. Kisco, NY. Barbara was also involved in numerous civic services and charitable organizations — from serving as a Village Trustee in Briarcliff Manor, NY where she and her family lived for many years, to serving as a volunteer at Phelps Memorial Hospital and the Ossining Open Door, among others.
Over the last two years she bravely battled ALS and remained committed to exercise, spending time outdoors and supporting her children and grandchildren in their own pursuits. To those who knew her, she always had a smile and a generous spirit and was a true “bright light” in their lives. She loved animals, especially dogs, and raised and lived with four golden retrievers during her lifetime. Her most recent dog, Simba, was a true companion and passed away shortly before her move to the Boston area. She was loyal to many schools and organizations including Dana Hall School, Smith College, Sleepy Hollow Country Club, the Scarborough Singers and Mt. Kisco Presbyterian Church. Her home-away-from-home and self-proclaimed “favorite place to be” was the house she rented for the month of July in Chatham, MA near the summer home of her brother, Douglas B. Rhodes, and his wife Nancy Rhodes. She lived in Briarcliff Manor, NY for 46 years and moved to Waterstone at Wellesley, an independent living community, in Wellesley, MA in August 2013.
Visiting Hours will be held at the George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 477 Washington St., (Rt.16) WELLESLEY, Friday, January 2 from 5-8pm. Relatives and friends kindly invited. A Memorial Service will be held at Village Church, 2 Central St., Wellesley, Saturday, January 3 at 4:30pm with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for any donations to go to the organization that helped enhance the quality of her life during the last couple of years: Compassionate Care ALS, P.O. Box 1052, West Falmouth, MA02575 or www.CCALS.org. Online guestbook and directions at gfdoherty.com. George F. Doherty & Sons Wellesley 781-235-4100
