Middlebury, Vermont

Barbara Lewis Lawton Forth, 97, died peacefully Wednesday night September 12th at The Residence at Otter Creek in Middlebury, Vermont

She was born in Woodstock, Vermont on April 12, 1921 the daughter of Rupert and Ruth (Blakely) Lewis, successful farmers in Woodstock. Barbara graduated from Woodstock High School in 1939.

Her first husband of 52 years was Dr. Richard Lawton (deceased 1998). They resided near Philadelphia, PA and in Schenectady, New York raising two daughters, Anne and Ruth.

After being widowed Barbara married James J. Forth in 2000.  They were married for 16 years. Jim died in 2016.

Barbara was a creative and active homemaker her whole life.  Among her many interests and talents were gardening and preserving her produce, quilting, sewing ( she was trained as a seamstress and tailor), flower arranging (she was a flower show judge), genealogy and traveling.

Barbara was active in many churches throughout her lifetime.  Most recently she attended St. Kateri Tekawitha (formerly St. Helen's of Schenectady) with her husband, James.  Her faith was an important part of her life.

Barbara is survived by her two daughters: Anne Lawton Wheeler married to W. Edward Wheeler and their children Jessica Anne Wheeler (children Trajan and Payton Artt); Rachel Wheeler Ethier married to Jesse Ethier (children Annanya and Alaya Ethier);  and Nicolas G. Wheeler; and daughter Dr. Ruth Lawton McEvoy married to Dr. Michael McEvoy and their children Christopher McEvoy and his wife, Jenica and son, Eli; and Dr. Anna McEvoy Paull and her husband Dr. David Paull and their son, Sam. She is also survived by Jim's five children James, Michael, Cathy, Patty, and Mark and also the late Robert and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren, who all became part of their family together.

In addition to her parents Barbara is predeceased by her sister Marion Lewis Piastro and her husband Mike.

Because of Barbara's great love of Woodstock she will be laid to rest with her family there. A graveside service will be held at the Prosper Cemetery in Woodstock, Vermont on Wednesday September 26th at 11:00am.

Memorial contributions can be given to the Pregnancy Resource Center of Addison County, Middlebury, Vermont.

Arrangements are under the Cabot Funeral Home in Woodstock, Vermont. An on line guest book can be found at cabotfh.com