Obituary of Barbara Doe Loring

BARBARA DOE LORING COHOES - Barbara Doe Loring, 88, passed away suddenly, but peacefully, Sunday January 11th, 2015 at the Mill View Assisted Living Residence in Cohoes where she had been living for the last year. Born in Arlington, Massachusetts, Barbara was the daughter of the late William and Nora (Downey) Doe. At the age of 16, with her father already gone, Barbara's mother passed away and Barbara went to live with relatives while her older brother, the late William Doe, Jr, was training to be an officer during World War II. A go-getter, Barbara worked during the school year at the Arlington Public Library and summers at the Poland Spring House in Poland Springs, Maine and then the Monmouth Hotel in Spring Lake, NJ. She eventually saved enough to put herself through Simmons College, Boston, graduating in 1947 with her bachelors. Following graduation, Barbara moved to Brooklyn, NY and worked as a librarian in the children's section at the Grand Army Plaza library branch. It was during this period that two things happened. First - she furthered her education at Columbia University earning her M.A. in 1952. Second - she met the love of her life, Philip B. Loring, Jr. and they were married in Manhattan on January 12, 1952. Following their wedding, Barb and Phil moved with Phil's work as an engineer to Spain for four years. Returning to the US with their new son Mark they soon built a house outside of NYC on Old Farm Rd in Pleasantville, NY and welcomed the birth of their daughter Ann. Barb settled into home life raising the children, volunteering at their Armonk schools and occasionally traveling with Phil to overseas business meetings in Hawaii, Australia and Spain. Eventually, the kids grew and married. Phil retired from Caltex Petroleum and their later years were spent at home, traveling, and watching their grandsons grow. Shortly after celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary Barb and Phil moved to the Capital District to be close to their daughter, Ann Swezey. Sadly, Phil passed away weeks after the move, but not before he was able to spend his last weekend of life with Barb attending their grandson Matt's wedding. Barb is survived by her son Mark Loring, and his wife, Kathy, who live in Houston, Texas and are the parents of Abraham (Brandea) Covello and Sam Covello. She is also survived by her daughter Ann Swezey, and Ann's husband, Mike, who live in Cohoes, NY and are the parents of LT Matthew (Bridget) Swezey, USN and MIDN Douglas Swezey, USNA. A funeral mass will be held at 12 noon, this Friday, January 16th at the Holy Innocents Church at 431 Bedford Rd, Pleasantville, NY with burial immediately following at the All Soul's Cemetery. For those who wish to remember Barb, the family suggests contribution may be made in Barbara's memory to Simmons College at 300 The Fenway, Office of Advancement, Boston, Massachusetts 02115. Arrangements are under the direction of Dufresne & Cavanaugh Funeral home, Latham. For information or to light a memory candle for the family please visit www.dufresneandcavanaugh.com.