Barbara Oski Beane, age 91, née Barbara Ann Fassett, left this world surrounded by loving family and her treasured art collection on August 10, 2026. Barbara transitioned on her own terms. During her final days, a hummingbird repeatedly visited her back porch — beckoning her on and indicating that this was her spirit animal. Nothing could be more fitting.
Barbara was born on February 3, 1935, in Tunkhannock, Pa. She was the second of five children born to Esther Margaret (“Peg”) and Alvah Fassett. Theirs was a boisterous, athletic and multitalented clan. She graduated from Wyoming Seminary Preparatory School in Kingston, Pa. (not in Wyoming and not a seminary).
She went on to graduate from Swarthmore College (Class of 1957), where she majored in art history and participated in many theatrical and musical productions. While at Swarthmore, she met Frank Oski, a medical student at the University of Pennsylvania and a Swarthmore graduate. They married in 1957, and life took off. Frank completed medical school and then residency in pediatrics at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Barbara was initially the moneymaker in their home. Their children, Jonathan (Betsy Saunders), Jane (Steve Moul) and Jessica, were all born in Philadelphia. Frank’s career in academic pediatrics meant several moves and an opportunity for Barbara to learn laboratory techniques so that she could participate in Frank’s research. They made homes in Philadelphia, Boston and Syracuse, N.Y., before their final move to Baltimore in 1985. Frank died prematurely in 1996. While in Syracuse, she distinguished herself as a successful real estate agent who was best known for her honesty. In her years in Baltimore, she returned to her love of art and managed the Sales and Rental Gallery at the Baltimore Museum of Art.
After Frank’s death, Barbara became reacquainted in shared grief with a former Wyoming Seminary classmate who lost his wife in a tragic accident. She and Paul LeRoy Beane fell in love and married, creating their own Brady Bunch of adult children. The addition of Douglas Carter Beane (Lewis Flinn), Sandra Beane-Fox (Don Fox) and Kimberly Beane (Michael Rosenberg) to the family led to much joy and more grandchildren. Barbara and Paul split their time between Lake Carey, Pa., and Fort Myers, Fla.
After Paul’s death in 2015, Barbara made her final relocation, to Shelburne, Vt., where she quickly established herself as a volunteer extraordinaire at Wake Robin Continuing Care Residential Community. She signed up for every committee possible and made important and lasting friendships with many residents. She continued to sing in several choirs and was a proud supporter of the Vermont Youth Symphony, the Vermont Symphony Orchestra and the Lake Champlain Chamber Music Festival. Lately, she could be seen most Saturdays along Route 7 in Shelburne as part of “No Kings,” protesting the policies of the current administration.
Barbara was lit from within with a zest for life and a passion for protest. She was known by her college friends at Swarthmore College as Baffle — first to easily remember her initials but mostly because she baffled those around her with her commitment to causes focused on civil rights, human rights and the environment. She was an accomplished choral and operatic singer and played piano for most of her life.
Anyone that ever met Barbara came away with a sense that they were the most important person in the world — even if only for the time they spent in her orbit. She listened intently. She always showed interest. She focused on their accomplishments — no matter how large or small — and imbued them with the possibility of realizing dreams.
Barbara is survived by her three living siblings; her three children, three stepchildren and their spouses; her 12 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; and a multitude of cousins, second cousins, nieces and nephews. She was deeply loved by not only her family but also by everyone who came into her path. She will be deeply missed, but her spirit will be present for eternity.
In lieu of flowers, and at Barbara’s request, please consider a donation to one of the following organizations: Vermont Foodbank (vtfoodbank.org); ACLU of Vermont (acluvt.org) or University of Vermont Health Home Health & Hospice: (uvmhealth.org/locations/home-health-hospice).