10/17/2024
Barbara Creamer Connett, of Phoenixville, PA, born of Mount Vernon, NY, passed peacefully into the arms of God with family gathered around her on October 15, 2024, her 89th birthday.
Barbara is survived by her sons Hartley Jr. (Abigail) of Dobbs Ferry, NY; Bradford (Ginger) of Wrightsville Beach, NC; and Thomas (Allison) of Phoenixville, PA; her loving grandchildren Ian (Sarah), Zachary (Sarah), Samuel (Claudia), Molly (Andy), Jessica (Colston), Tristan, Cassidy (Garrison), Tucker, Landon, Olivia, Carter, and five great-grandsons Thomas, Bradford, Charlie, Walt, and Eben, as well as many nieces and nephews whom she held dear. She knew her grandchildren well and cherished time with family more than anything in the world.
Barbara was the younger of two daughters born to Milton Joyce and Vivenne DeMarmon, though she was later adopted by Jack Creamer (of New York City and Quogue, New York) whom she affectionately considered her father. Barbara was predeceased by her beloved husband of 67 years, Hartley S. Connett, whom she met at age 14 while riding her bike along the streets of Quogue, New York. Their epic love story began in the quaint village of Quogue where they grew up together spending countless hours at the beach club body surfing (with Barbara often out-surfing the guys) or the field club playing tennis and sailing. Barbara was an accomplished athlete and a fierce competitor, dominating the tennis courts at the Quogue Field Club and earning multiple championship titles at the Great Valley Tennis Club. Her humility and quiet strength defined her and yet no man would challenge her on the courts.
Together, she and Hartley began a family in Berwyn, PA before taking the risk of buying Hickory Springs Farm Kennel in 1985. This last chapter of their lives together was a rich and beautiful time of building a business and Barbara was a vital part of the success they experienced. She was deeply loved by the entire staff (many of whom considered her like their own “mom”), numerous clients whom she always greeted with a smile and each animal she encountered.
Barbara was a woman of deep faith and a long-time member of The Church of the Good Samaritan where she served for many years on the altar guild and in the thrift shop. She and Hartley formed deep and lasting friendships with numerous members of their church community and treasured these connections. She will be missed by so many, including the staff at her local Wawa where she went every day for her coffee and paper. Her mark on our hearts and this community is indelible. She will be remembered as the kindest, most gentle, loving, devoted, and beloved wife, mom, mother-in-law, aunt, great grandma, grandma, matriarch, and friend to walk this earth.
We will gather to celebrate her extraordinary life on Saturday, November 2, at 11 AM in the sanctuary of The Church of the Good Samaritan, Paoli, PA. The service will be live-streamed here.
A reception will follow the service. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations are welcome to The Church of the Good Samaritan (good-samaritan.org) or 1Love4animals (1love4animals.org).