In Memory of Barbara Benton Harty Pratt

Obituary

Barbara Benton Harty Pratt, Clinton NY passed away on October 24, 2022 at the age of 81.

She had a very happy childhood growing up in Benton Hills, New Hartford and was a graduate of New Hartford High School, Class of 1958 and Elmira College, Class of 1962. She lived in the Village of Clinton for over 50 years where she raised her five children in her lively home with many friends coming and going.

As a professional, she was Director of Labor Relations for Oneida County for several years and then ultimately joined FPM Group in Rome, NY, in a role she enjoyed until her retirement.

For 57 years she cherished her time at “The Riverhouse” on the St. Lawrence River at Point Vivian with her parents, sister, many aunts, uncles, cousins, children, grandchildren, friends and neighbors.

Barb had flair! She will be remembered as distinctively intelligent, uniquely stylish, quick witted, positive and notably stoic.

Barb was a fierce scrabble opponent, math whiz, master crossword puzzle solver and lover of gardening and all animals. 

One of her most important gifts was her incredible memory- she could be relied upon to recount the tiniest of details. She found so much joy in sharing her knowledge with all!

She leaves five children: Willard Pratt IV, Molly Aitken (Thomas), Jessica Pratt, Elizabeth Vanderheiden (Thomas) and John (Jake) Pratt. She also leaves six adoring grandchildren: Lindsay and Christopher Aitken and Katherine, Annie, Ben and Molly Pratt. She is also survived by her sister Joanne Blair and first cousins David Lloyd, Marsha Thayer, Elizabeth Bolton, Thomas Sweeney, Laura Bolton Scaringi and Peter Sweeney.  She was predeceased by her parents John J. and Louise Benton Harty, many loving aunts and uncles, and one first cousin, Richard Bolton.

Calling hours are Friday, October 28, 2022, 4 – 6pm at Friedel, Williams & Edmunds Funeral and Cremation Services, 13 Oxford Rd, New Hartford. Funeral services will be on Saturday, October 29, 2022, 9:30am at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 25 Oxford Rd. New Hartford. Interment will take place at Forest Hills Cemetery, 2201 Oneida St, Utica, NY.

Please consider the charity of your choice in memory of Barb.

For online expressions of sympathy go to fwefh.com