Obituary of Barbara Curit Thorp

CHATHAM, NY –

Barbara Curit Thorp, 86, lifelong Ithaca resident, passed away peacefully, on July 22, 2024, in Cohoes, NY. Barbara was the daughter of Marjorie Sands (Likins) and Barton Francis Curit. She was born on October 8, 1937, in Winchester, Massachusetts.

Barbara grew up in Barrington, Rhode Island, the middle of three sisters, with her parents and her beloved Grandmother Curit. She would often reminisce about the summers she spent at Waukeela Camp in New Hampshire and on Chebeague Island, Maine, their father’s birthplace.

Barbara was an alumna of Lincoln School in Providence, Rhode Island, Class of 1955 and Cornell University, Class of 1959. At Cornell she received her AB in Zoology and was a member of Pi Beta Phi Sorority.

Barbara loved animals more than most anything in this world. She had many dogs and cats over the years, but her true love and trusted companion was her rescue lab, Ubu. She and Ubu spent many years volunteering for Cornell Companions and brought much joy to both children and adults all over Ithaca.

Her favorite jobs also included work with animals. Her first job was working for William Wimsatt, Ph.D., in the Department of Zoology at Cornell, where she assisted with research on rats and vampire bats. Her last and absolute favorite job was at the Sciencenter in Ithaca. She started there when they first opened and was Director of Operations and worked closely with the education programs and anywhere else she was needed. She was affectionately known as the “snake lady” and would carry her favorite snakes around for the museum guests to experience fabulous hands-on education.

Barbara was tremendously proud to be the grandmother (she was known to them as Jama) of Alex Bruce (Erin), Kelsey Bruce Jackson (Mathias) and Emma Lamoureux Bostick (Cameron). She loved their childhood visits to Ithaca and time spent with them at the Sciencenter. Fortunately, she was also able to spend time with them and their children (great-grandchildren Malcolm, Ruby, Eden and Gregor) after moving to Cohoes, NY, in November of 2022. She adored them all and they brought her so much joy in these last few years.

Barbara was predeceased by her parents, her son Jeffery Barton Thorp of Ithaca, NY and her older sister, Elizabeth Phelps Gosselin (Paul) of Yarmouth, Maine. She is survived by her loving daughter, Betsy Thorp VanAlstyne and her husband, William VanAlstyne, and her favorite “baby” sister Martha Curit Hough (Walter) of Savannah, Georgia. Barbara also leaves several step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren, many nephews, one niece and their families.

The family is extraordinarily grateful for the loving care she received at Marjorie Doyle Rockwell Center. The entire staff there went above and beyond to always meet her needs and to make her feel safe, purposeful, and loved. While leaving Ithaca was quite difficult, she was truly happy in her new community and had lots of time with family. She lived in her home on Texas Lane in Ithaca for over 55 years and had the most loving and caring neighbors. Her daughter will always be thankful for all the support she had, enabling her to stay alone in her home into her mid 80’s. We also have deep gratitude for the loving care provided by Community Hospice at the end of her life.

Cremation has taken place through the care of Simple Choices, Inc.

A service honoring Barbara will take place in Ithaca at The First Unitarian Society of Ithaca on Saturday, October 19, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. and she will be buried on Chebeague Island, Maine, alongside her parents, sister, great-grandparents, and many other family members. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Barbara’s honor to the Sciencenter, 601 First Street, Ithaca, NY 14850 or your local Alzheimer’s Association.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the Thorp Family, online at: SimpleChoicesCremation.com

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Barbara Curit Thorp

1937 - 2024

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