Obit: Singer Barbara Carns (July, 2002)

Subject: Barbara Carns
From: Joan
Date: 09 Jul 02 - 03:48 PM

Barbara Carns died this morning, 7/9/02, at 6:60 AM. She was 76, and still a grand singer of blues, sea songs, labor songs, and just good songs. She lived in Plainfield, VT, with roots in New Bedford and Cape Cod; many will associate her with the Eisteddfod and Tryworks Coffee House in MA. Others remember her appearances at Fox Hollow and Champlain Valley Festivals.

All her children were with her at the end: Tom, Robin, Dan, Louisa and George, and at her request, friends in her Vermont community gathered in her hospital room for goodbyes and some singing. She sang too. She had a gentle, classy exit--appropriate for a gentle, cla

Subject: RE: OBIT: Barbara Carns
From: DeanC
Date: 09 Jul 02 - 03:58 PM

Barbara was a lovely lady and a wonderful singer. Carly and I will miss her greatly.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Barbara Carns
From: kendall
Date: 09 Jul 02 - 04:18 PM

She really was one of a kind and she will be missed. My most heartfelt sympathy to you Joan, she was such a good close friend of yours.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Barbara Carns
From: Hollowfox
Date: 09 Jul 02 - 04:47 PM

Thanks, Joan. She's one of my role models, from her repertoire, to her cooking skills, to her grace at presiding over the friendly chaos at her campsite kitchen at Fox Hollow. She will be truly missed.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Barbara Carns
From: lamarca
Date: 09 Jul 02 - 06:57 PM

I remember Barbara first from one of the first FSGW Getaways I attended, late one night in Letts Lodge, listening to her, Jonathan Eberhardt and Pete the Spy trading blues, booze and stories until 2 or 3 AM...

Barbara had the knack of making you feel welcome into any song circle she was a part of. I'll miss her intelligence, wit, serious and silly songs more than I can ever say.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Barbara Carns
From: Barry Finn
Date: 09 Jul 02 - 09:32 PM

So sorry to hear she's gone on. I first met her in the mid 70's sometime, at a small music fest in Plymouth, Mass held next to the Mayflower. I had enjoyed folk music since the 60's but only sung to the sound of a shower, didn't know if I had a voice or not, never gave it much thought. During a small informal workshop I mentioned to her that I remembered something similar to what she just sang. She asked me to sing what I knew. No way, I never sang with people before & didn't figure on doing it then either. She just made it so easy to try that I gave it a go. As easy as she made it for me to try, she made it just as easy for me to keep at it with just the right kind of encouragement. Probably a little less than 20 yrs later, at NEFFA she was at a workshop I was doing, on prison work songs. In that same manner as before she came to me & said how much she enjoyed herself & thanked me (I'm sure she didn't remember me from yrs back but I sure rememebered her). To her surprised I said it was me who should be thanking her & if she enjoyed herself that much she only had her self to thank and not me. I told her this story & like before as easy as she made it for me to tell it was just as easy, I think, for her to hear it. I'm so glad I got the chance to thank her then & I'm so lucky to have had a few encounters with her. I can't begin to imagine how much she must've been loved or how much she'll be missed. May all the powers above bless her & all who loved her.
Barry

Subject: RE: OBIT: Barbara Carns
From: Jeri
Date: 09 Jul 02 - 10:01 PM

I didn't know her well, and only met her about 3 years ago. What I did know about her was that she was a hell of a lady with a great sense of humor who freely encouraged folks like Barry and me. She was a beacon. She'd walk into a room, and you could feel the air change - there was a bit more brightness, a bit more warmth.

Subject: Barbara Carns
From: GUEST,Tony Saletan
Date: 09 Jul 02 - 10:53 PM

Barbara Carns, whose blues singing influenced many of us, died peacefully this morning among friends. Cora Peirce ([e-mail]) will have details of the memorial service in Vermont this Friday. Tony Saletan

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Messages from multiple threads combined.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: OBIT: Barbara Carns
From: Joan
Date: 09 Jul 02 - 10:54 PM

On Friday, July 12th, at 2PM there will be a memorial gathering for Barb in Plainfield, Vermont on the Goddard College campus. Depending on weather, it will be held outside of, or in the Hay Barn.

In addition to being a good friend, she was my neighbor who lived across the hall. We freely went back and forth and took turns fixing meals to eat together several times a week. We regularly had to sort out dishes and forks which migrated into each other's kitchens, not to mention the interesting books we shared. This afternoon I came in and noticed the signs I'd posted ages ago so people would know who lived at which door:<---Sprung Carns--->. I will miss her terribly, as will the many friends who cared so much for her.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Barbara Carns
From: Murrey
Date: 10 Jul 02 - 12:53 AM

I am so sorry to hear of Barbara's passing . It has been many years since I've been in her company though I have thought of her often . Her voice will be sorely missed -she will be always remembered . Joan I know what a loss this is for you -it's been many years since we've shared the same time and space hasn't it ? Though I did inquire about you to Karen K at Old Songs . Marie in Maine

Subject: RE: OBIT: Barbara Carns
From: Joan
Date: 10 Jul 02 - 07:06 PM

How good to "see your voice," Marie. Yes, many years since we've been in touch. Wish we could go out for a cuppa.

Barbara's kith and kin are all next door in her apartment, and it's a veritable demolition derby. A bit heartbreaking to see bits and pieces of a life being carried away in boxes. They were looking at old photos of themselves when they were adorable little tots and Barbara, beautiful and young, with her blond hair and a big smile. All of her life was rich and full. She graduated from Goddard college when she was 70 years old, having completed a novel! She never stopped reading and learning and being interested. Some woman!

Subject: RE: OBIT: Barbara Carns
From: Susan A-R
Date: 10 Jul 02 - 09:57 PM

Joan, I'm so sorry to hear about Barbara. I'll ever remember her sitting on Wally MacNow's porch trading songs with you and Helen. I'll sing something for her at the Kitchen on Friday, as that's where I'll be trapped at 2.

Thanks for letting all of us know.

Susan

Subject: RE: OBIT: Barbara Carns
From: Murrey
Date: 11 Jul 02 - 12:41 AM

You know Joan I was just describimg Barbara to someone today saying that she was such a presence-so grand in every way yoy just think someone like that will be here forever but alas. Speaking of photos -the Fox Hollow photo exhibit in the Dutch Barn at Old Songs this year really took me back --we all haven't really changed that much have we ??? I hope our paths will cross someday soon -life's some unpredictable !! marie

Subject: RE: OBIT: Barbara Carns
From: georgeward
Date: 11 Jul 02 - 02:46 AM

I don't know what I can add to what's been said. My own sense of loss is probably greater than Barbara would ever have imagined. She was such a strong and wonderful presence.

Thought seriously of driving to Plainfield Friday. Can't. Do know, all of you who are there, that I'm thinking of you and of her.

-George

Subject: RE: OBIT: Barbara Carns
From: Fortunato
Date: 11 Jul 02 - 01:34 PM

Lovely lady, she will be much missed. Like Lamarca I remember her voice in the company of Helen S. and Riki, and Jonathon E. and others, though I knew her only a little personally, I feel a loss today. Chance

Subject: RE: OBIT: Barbara Carns
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 11 Jul 02 - 03:11 PM

Neither Tom nor I can make it to Plainfield tomorrow, but our hearts and thoughts will definitely be there.

I miss her so much already, but hold some lovely memories of her wit, her intelligence, her singing.

I'm also grateful my computer is allowing me to make this post.

Linn

Subject: RE: OBIT: Barbara Carns
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 11 Jul 02 - 04:17 PM

Damn. She wan't through singing yet.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Barbara Carns
From: Strupag
Date: 11 Jul 02 - 06:36 PM

Met the lovely lady when she was over in Ullapool, Scotland with Jean Redpath and a couple of others forming the Angel Band. She had a night off and I met her in a pub. It was one of these situations where just the two of us were huddled round a wee table and she would sing me one of her songs and then I would sing her one of mine. I had never met her before but our own personal wee ceilidh went on for about a couple of hours. Most of our songs were about the fishing. A fond memory and a great priviledge.

Subject: RE: Obit: Barbara Carns
From: GUEST,Dave R
Date: 18 Mar 09 - 02:40 PM

I live out of State now and just heard of this. This was a tremendous loss to both the music industry and friends of Barbara. She was a wonderful person and I will miss her.

=Dave R.=

Subject: RE: Obit: Singer Barbara Carns (July, 2002)
From: GUEST,AllyMae Carns
Date: 05 Apr 11 - 02:38 PM

As a grandchild of Barbara I must say how nice it is to read your comments and feelings about such a special person to me. I don't let a day go by without thinking of her. I often put on a piece of her jewelery to feel her engery or listen to the songs that made her happy to sing. The Carns family lives all over the country so when we get the chance to meet there is still singing and of course cooking. I write this after having a very real and very vivid dream about my Gran'mere a few nights ago, and I can assure you she is watching us and is happy to be where she is. I am a lucky lady to have Barbara Carns in my life. <3

"As they would mingle with the good people we meet
Good friends we have had, oh good friends we've lost along the way
In this bright future you can't forget your past
So dry your tears I say"