Aubyn Hayes Barstrom died at home on Jan. 2 with her daughter Aubyn and grandson Kenon at her side.

Bobbie, as she was known, was born in London, England, on May 31, 1922, the younger of two children born to Cecil and Eva Hayes. Bobbie was raised in part by her loving brother, Naylor, and by her Aunt Millie and Uncle Wilfred whom she lived with periodically when Naylor was away at school.

She was a survivor of the German Blitzkrieg on London during World War II. During this time, Bobbie lived with her parents while raising two young boys, Terry and Malcolm. Their father, a member of the Royal Air Force, had gone missing, but this sadness turned to happiness when Bobbie met Ken Barstrom at a USO dance and they were married in London in March 1945.

At the conclusion of the war, the family moved to Connecticut, where a daughter Aubyn Christina was born. In the 1970s, the couple moved to Rhode Island to be closer to the ocean (and Ken’s boat.) Bobbie and Ken were keepers of the Watch Hill Lighthouse for four and a half years and were members of their own private polar bear club, enjoying a daily dip in the ocean long after the usual beach crowd had dissipated.

Ken died in 1995. In 2001, Bobbie moved to the Vineyard to live with her daughter and son-in-law, Bill, and her grandson, Kenon.

Bobbie was predeceased by her eldest son, Terry.

In addition to Aubyn, Bill and Kenon, survivors include her son Malcolm and his wife, Pat; her daughter in law, Carole; seven more grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; her sister in law, Pat; and four nieces.

A private graveside service will be held in Rhode Island in the spring. Donations may be made in Bobbie’s name to Visiting Nurse Services, Hospice, Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, the Federated Church and the MSPCA.