Obituary of Barbara J. Kirby

Mrs. Barbara J. Kirby, 79, of State Highway 10, Canajoharie, NY died Friday, September 24, 2021. Born on September 10, 1942, in the Town of Ephratah NY, she was the daughter of Larkin and Margaret Smith Christman. She was a graduate of Johnstown High School and had been a local area resident her entire life. She was the Superintendent of Canajoharie Falls Cemetery Assoc. for 50 years, working with her husband and eventually her son. She was a member of St. John and St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Canajoharie, NY. She was a member of the St. Johnsville Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Silver Spurs riding club for over 50 years, and a 4-H leader for over 31 years in Fulton and Montgomery Counties. On June 25, 1967, Barb married Alfred Kirby. Her parents, a grandson, Earl Wilcox, and all her siblings, brothers; Robert, Jacob, and Richard Christman and sister, Beldora Christman all predeceased her. Barb is survived by her children; daughters, Raechelle “Shelly” Valenti, Lynnae Wilder & Kenneth; sons, Larkin and Rebecca Kirby, Ronald Wilcox and Tontionna Frasier, 11 grandchildren; Ashley, Jarret, Brianna, Joseph, Jenah, Alexia, Haleigh, Savanniah, Jayonna, Avylina; great-grandchildren; Zoey, Skylar, Kylie, Cayde, Addison, and Talulah; several nieces, nephews and cousins. . A funeral service will be held on Thursday, September 30, 2021 at 2:00PM at The Chapel of Houghtaling and Smith Funeral Home, 20 Otsego Street, Canajoharie, NY 13317. The family invites friends and family to pay their respects on Thursday from Noon-2:00PM at the funeral home. Burial will take place at Canajoharie Falls Cemetery. Please consider donations to Community Hospice, 246 Mannys Corners Road, Amsterdam, NY 12010 or to a veteran’s organization, or a cancer research foundation in Barb’s memory. Anyone wishing to leave an online condolence, please feel free to do so at www.houghtalingandsmith.com