Dorothy E. Barden, 86, Summered in Oak Bluffs

Dorothy Elizabeth (Betty) Barden, age 86, died on Feb. 25 at Jane Brown Hospital in Providence after an extended illness.

Born on Oct. 12, 1917, in Providence, R.I., she was the daughter of the late Albert A. and Emily V. Barden, lifelong Oak Bluffs summer residents. After graduating from Central High School, where she lettered in baseball, and from Edgewood Secretarial School, she joined Amica Insurance Company, where she worked as a secretary for 40 years. She was a member of honor society Beta Sigma Phi for more than 60 years.

Betty was a lifelong summer resident on Martha's Vineyard, where she enjoyed fishing with her father and brothers in Lagoon Pond, swimming and sunning at State Beach, reading on the porch, singing in the Tabernacle choir, hosting family and friends and attending community events while residing at Kenilworth, the family cottage in Oak Bluffs. If not playing cards, board games or entertaining the next generation, Betty was often found with earphones attached, cheering her favorite team, the Red Sox. She was a lover of cats and could often be spotted with her own or a neighbor's cat on her lap.

Betty was a former long-term member of Plymouth Congregational Church and choir in Providence. Later, she continued her passion for music as a choir member of Phillips Memorial Baptist Church in Cranston, where she served on various committees, and most recently enjoyed her role as a patron of organ concerts and choral recitals.

She is survived by her devoted sister, Martha, of Cranston; a sister in law, Beth; a niece, Gertrude (GeeGee) Barden (Bill Morey) of Northridge, Calif.; a nephew, Howard (Lindy) Barden of Madison, Wis.; a nephew, Albert (Cheryl) Barden of Norridgewock, Me.; three grandnieces, Merrill, Sarah and Anna; two grandnephews, Scott and Andrew; one greatniece, and many special and kind friends. Betty was predeceased by her brothers, Albert A. Barden Jr. and Kenneth V. Barden.

Her life was celebrated with a memorial service at 11 a.m. on March 6 in the Phillips Memorial Baptist Church in Cranston. In lieu of flowers, memorials in her name were established to The Thomas Moye Music Fund at Phillips Memorial Baptist Church. Interment will take place at Greenville Cemetery in Greenville, R.I., later this summer.