Ann Harriman Barningham
October 22, 1923-October 17, 2017
Ann Harriman Barningham (93) peacefully left this life October 17, 2017 after a prolonged illness. She was born to Walter Hartwell Harriman and Helen Ramage Harriman on October 22, 1923 in Providence, RI.
She attended Providence Schools, graduated summa cum laude from Classical High School and attended Smith College. The war intervened and she married her naval officer husband Robert Charles Barningham. Thus was begun a 67 year union and compact based on the raising of children, hard work, commitment, mutual support and fun.
Ann’s dedication to her family was her life’s work. She created a comfortable home life and was always ready to support her children and husband in whatever venture they chose. She appreciated a good laugh and opportunities to be the actress she had always aspired to be by performing in several community theater productions in CT and on Cape Cod. She loved her pets and wild animals. The beauty and wonder of all things Nature gave her great joy. She loved the water, especially the RI shore. Swimming was a great pastime; once she swam with dolphins while in Florida, an exhilarating experience! Ann was a gifted seamstress and made gifts of her ceramics. She enjoyed home decorating and design, wrote poetry and enjoyed and encouraged others in dramatic readings. With her husband she shared a love of great friendships, golf, sailing, parties, travel and over the years established homes in Manchester, CT, Harwich, MA, The Villages, FL and Mystic, CT.
She is predeceased by her parents, her siblings: Benjamin Harriman and Elizabeth Harriman Sweeny and her husband Robert C. Barningham. She leaves behind three children: Pamela Phillips (Robert), Richard Barningham (Kathleen) and Stephen Barningham(Ruth) and four grandchildren: David Phillips, Michael Phillips (Amy), Jennifer Phillips and Arleen Barningham, plus several nieces and nephews, all of whom will miss her very much.
The family wishes to deeply thank all those who watched over and cared for her since Robert’s death in 2011. The staff at Stoneridge, Mystic, CT, Seniors Helping Seniors of Mystic, Toni Potter, Marlene Fyffe-Bowen, the staff at Atria Greenridge Assisted Living and especially the staff of the Life Guidance Unit at Atria. Their loving and consistent care helped these past few years be gentle and peaceful ones despite her decline in health.
A memorial service will be held Thursday, October 26, 2017 at 1:00pm at Mystic Congregational Church, Mystic, CT. The interment, for family only, will be held that morning at the Barningham family plot in the North Burial Grounds, Providence, RI.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made in memory of Ann to the Connecticut Humane Society, 701 Russell Rd., Newington, CT 06111 or cthumane.org.
To share a message of condolence or remembrance with her family, please click the link below.