Obituary of Barbara N. Ives

Barbara N. Ives, 91, of Bath, NY, died Thursday, November 9, 2017 at the Steuben Center health care facility in Bath, NY. Barb, as she was known to most of her friends, was born on February 23, 1926 in Rockville Centre, NY to David P. Nichols Sr. and Thelma (Mergell) Nichols and was raised by her father and step mother, Marion. She married Raymond P. Ives, Sr. on October 24, 1949. They raised their six children on Long Island until November 1972, when they moved with their three youngest children to Cameron Mills, NY. Barb worked as a secretary for attorneys Wendy Gould and Robert Cole before retiring as secretary for the Steuben County Department of Social Services. She was very busy after retirement volunteering with the Bath Ambulance Corps and the Steuben County Historical Society. She was very active in the Lutheran Church and later in the Centenary United Methodist Church in Bath, singing with the choir and the contemporary praise team, playing piano for the junior choir, playing with the hand bell choir, participating in the Threads of Love sewing group and attending various Bible Study groups. In her 70's she was proud to be the oldest member of the Karate for Christ class and was also a member of the Clod Squad Church Clown Ministry. Gardening was a passion of hers and she had many vegetable and flower gardens, both on Long Island and upstate. She was an inspiration to all who knew her and always looked for the good in others. She will be remembered for her caring heart, her bright blue eyes and her beautiful smile. She was much loved and will be missed by many. Barb is survived by her children and their spouses, Raymond P. "Skip" (Carla) Ives III of Milmay, NJ, Barbara J. "Jean" (Jim) Bochicchio of Bath, NY, Bertha M. "Bertie" (Harry) Surprenant of Bath, NY, David C. (Marsha) Ives of Hillsville, VA, Margaret C. "Peggy" (Doug) Brush of Bath, NY and Martin L. (Dawn) Ives of Nashville, GA, 15 grandchildren, 33 great grandchildren, 10 great-great grandchildren and her brother David P. (Karen) Nichols Jr. of Granada Hills, CA. She was preceded in death by her husband Ray, on October 26, 1997 (just two days after their 48th wedding anniversary) and by her beloved canine companion, Cindy, in 2013. Barb has donated her body for scientific research. A Celebration of Barb's Life will be held in the future at the convenience of the family. Memorial donations may be made in her name to the University of Rochester Anatomical Gift Program in Rochester, NY, Centenary United Methodist Church in Bath, NY, Finger Lakes SPCA in Bath, NY or to a charity of one's choice. Condolences may be made at www.fagansfuneralhome.com.