Obituary of Noreen Barker

Noreen Barker, 70, passed away after a long illness at Albany Medical Center on Monday November 18, 2013. Noreen was born in Troy, NY, the daughter of the late Edward and Margaret Vinett Collins. She was a graduate of Catholic Central High School and St. Rose College, where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Education. Noreen was a first grade teacher and lastly a librarian who taught at St. Pius X School in Loudonville, Cohoes public schools, St. Peter's and St. Clements schools in Saratoga. In 1972, Noreen moved to Alaska with her family where she was an entrepreneur working in real estate and property management, as well as childcare and politics. Noreen was very civic minded, and she loved gardening and flower arranging: winning several awards for her arrangements from the Federated Garden Clubs of NY. She was a member and past President of the Louise Beebe Wilder Garden Club, was on the board of director of SICM and a member of the Limerick Society of Albany, as well as a member of the Red Hat Society. Noreen was a communicant of the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Glenville. She travelled extensively throughout Europe, Asia, the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and Mexico. Noreen loved life, enjoyed her many interests, loved Saratoga, she worked at the track there for many years. As her first priority, she loved her children and grandchildren, her many friends, and was a very generous person. At holiday time, she enjoyed entertaining family and friends and was know for her cooking and beautiful table settings. In addition to her parents, Noreen was predeceased by her sister Ann Doris Collins. Survivors include her children: Thomas Peter, Matthew Paul (Julie Beth), Kristin Farman (Michael); grandchildren: Isaac Bernard, Thomas Abraham, and Simon Matthew Barker, sister Joan Collins Smith, brothers: Thomas Peter Collins and David Edward Collins, and twin sister Kathleen Collins Fleming (Walter), as well as several nieces and nephews. Noreen's family would like to express their gratitude to the staff of Albany Medical Center for their kindness and care during her stay. Funeral services will begin at 9:15 am on Friday November 22, 2013 from the Glenville Funeral Home, 9 Glenridge Rd., East Glenville and be followed at 10 am by a Mass of Christian Burial at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, 400 Saratoga Rd., Glenville. Relatives and friends are invited to call on the family at the funeral home from 5 to 8 pm on. Thursday November 21. Memorial contributions are requested to be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, gotwoundedwarriorproject.org. Online condolences to the family may be made by visiting www.glenvillefuneralhome.com.