Barbara Spence Schroder

Valley Falls, Rensselaer County

Barbara Spence Schroder passed away on Thursday, April 4, 2024 at Samaritan Hospital in Troy. She was 85.

Born on February 9, 1939 in Troy, daughter of the late John and Lois (Templer) Spence. She is the loving wife of the late Donald Herman Schroder and loving mother of John Spence Schroder (Janice Wright) of Apex, NC, devoted Grandma to Jessie Caroline, Jason Spence, and Justin Wright Schroder of Apex, NC and sisters-in-law Mary Schroder of Valley Falls and Norine Schroder of Tucker, GA and children of her late sister Lois, Salvador Morley, Thomas Morley, Carol Bronk, Angela Donnolly, Jeanne Tromblee and many nieces and nephews.

She is predeceased by her sister Lois Spence Morley, brothers-in-law David Schroder and William Schroder and nephew John C. Morley.

She graduated from Hoosic Valley Central School in 1956, earned a BA at Russell Sage College in Troy in 1960 and a Masters in Education at SUNY Albany in 1961. She taught Global Studies at Hoosic Valley Central School in Schaghticoke, NY for 33 years and retired in 1995. She was a member of the Valley Falls United Methodist Church and Chair of PPR Committee for over 10 years, secretary of the Valley Falls Library Board, secretary of the Elmwood Cemetery Association and served as president of the Woman's Club of Valley Falls and vicinity from 2008-2011. She was a Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star associated with Victor Lodge in Schaghticoke, NY. She was a past member of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Valley Falls and an original member of the Valley Falls Planning Commission. She served on the Social Studies Regents preparation committees and as a scorer for the Regents exams through the 1990's. During retirement she worked for Pearson Evaluation Systems on an occasional basis. Her interests included visiting grandchildren as often as possible, reading, and walking her much loved pets, Gretchen, Eric, Genghis, Hanzel, Gretel and Lady Jane. She also loved traveling to Italy, Ireland, Greece and other places of interest.

Calling hours will be on Tuesday, April 9, 2024 from 4-7:00pm at Chase-Smith Family Funeral Homes, 173 Main Street, Schaghticoke. A graveside service will be held on Wednesday at 11am in Elmwood Cemetery.

Kindly consider a donation to the ASPCA, a local library or any educational charity of your choice in loving memory of Barbara Schroder.

Online remembrances may be made at www.chasesmithfamily.com