obituary

Barbara Richardson Forsythe of Naples, FL, formerly of Port Chester, NY, passed away on January 2, 2026 in Naples, FL. She was born on December 21, 1942 in Bronxville, NY to Arthur Wellesley and Dorothy Mansfield Richardson. She grew up in Bronxville and enjoyed all that New York City offered.

She graduated with honors from The Ursuline School in New Rochelle, NY, received a B.A. from Newton (MA) College of the Sacred Heart and an M. Ed. from Manhattanville College.

She taught kindergarten in Cambridge, MA for two years. She transferred to Battle Hill and George Washington Schools in White Plains where she taught kindergarten for 32 years, retiring in 1998.

Barbara married John Forsythe, a physical education teacher and coach at Eastview and Highland Middle Schools, in 1986. They enjoyed long winters in Naples FL until John’s passing in 2012. Barbara moved permanently to Naples in 2021 and enjoyed condominium living on the bay.

Barbara was an active communicant of St. William Roman Catholic Church in Naples. She was a longtime volunteer at the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry where she was known for diligentlyscouting for clean boxes and deals on tomato paste at grocery stores. She was spirited,energetic and fiercely independent. She thrived on helping others. Her generosity knew no bounds and she cared for many friends and family members over the years. She also helped provide for the education and literacy of numerous young people who were dear to her. She sponsored a number of organizations and charities including the Port Chester schools, Habitat for Humanity in Collier County (FL) and the Port Chester-Rye Brook Public Library.

Barbara is survived by her sister, Claudia Richardson Nedrow (Roy) of Carlsbad, CA, a niece, nephew and their families in northern CA, as well as cousins on Long Island and in Texas.

Barbara enjoyed an extended family of friends and nurtured friendships that spanned decades.

She was beloved by former students and their parents and kept in contact with many of them.

In accordance with her wishes, there will be a 10am visitation hour and an 11am service at the

Craft Memorial Home, Inc. 40 Leicester St. Port Chester, NY on January 16, 2026 with burial following at Greenwood Union Cemetery in Rye, NY.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to the Port Chester-Rye Brook Public Library