Obituary of Barbara Conklin

Barbara A. Conklin passed away Sunday, January 17 in her home in the company of family. She kept her wit, sense of humor, and kindness until her final days despite a long battle with cancer. Barb was born June 30, 1961 in Queens, New York, the daughter of Lillian and William McEvoy. She is survived by her two sons, Christopher and Gregory, her husband David and his kids, Alexa and Damon, her sister, Joan, her four brothers, Michael, Kevin (Marlene), Bill (Laurie), and Peter (Andria), and seven nephews and nieces. She grew up in Schenectady and graduated from Niskayuna High School in 1979. She married Edward McManus in 1983; they were happily married for twenty-four years, and remained close as they raised their two sons. Barb lived and worked in Scranton, Ogdensburg, and Binghamton before earning her Bachelor's Degree in Human Development from Binghamton University and her Master's Degree in Science and Education from Oneonta State University. She was a guidance counselor at Seton Catholic Central for two years before starting at Binghamton's West Middle School in 2001. Her colleagues and administrators will remember Barb for her loyalty and kindness to students. She loved her job, worked until she was physically unable, and treated the students of West Middle as she did her own children. In 2012 she married David Conklin, and spent the last four years of her life with her beautiful new family. Barb and David achieved the highest level of happiness despite her ongoing battle with cancer. Both would describe the last four years as some of the happiest of their lives. They spent their free time traveling to exotic resorts, biking, and building a perfect home. Barb loved her family, her students, and her friends. Her two sons knew that they could count on her in any time of need. She will be remembered for her beautiful and vibrant smile, her positivity, and her strength to fight and overcome life's greatest obstacle. A Mass of Episcopalian celebration will take place at Christ Episcopal Church, 10 Henry St., Binghamton, on Thursday at 11:30am. Mother Elizabeth Ewing, her Rector, will officiate. The family will receive friends at the J.A. McCormack Sons Funeral Home, 141 Main St., Binghamton, on Wednesday from 3-7pm. Expressions of sympathy in memory of Barbara may be made to the American Cancer Society , 13 Beech St., Johnson City, NY 13790 or Lourdes Hospital Foundation (Hospice), 169 Riverside Dr., Binghamton, NY 13905.