Barbara Ayers, 91, of South Hadley, Massachusetts, passed away on July 8, 2026 exactly as she had intended – in her home, with her faithful dog, Heidi, by her side, after visits with neighbors, friends, her pastor and family members.

Born in Plainfield, New Jersey, she was the daughter of the late Helen (Ross) Ayers and Nathan Howard Ayers. Barbara was raised in Metuchen, NJ, and was a graduate of Metuchen High School and The College of New Jersey (formally Trenton State College). She earned her M.A.T. (Master of Arts in Teaching) at Smith College in Northampton, MA. She was predeceased by Janet Bresee, her dear friend and housemate of forty-three years who passed away in 2006.

Professionally, Barbara was a longtime beloved physical education teacher, coach and guidance counselor in the Granby School District.

Throughout her life, Barbara was deeply devoted to her faith and her community. She was an active member of Center Church of South Hadley and sang in the choir. She was a longtime member of the South Hadley Chorale, and also served as a board member. For decades she volunteered by helping build affordable homes for Habitat for Humanity and by serving meals for those less fortunate during the holidays.

Long before it became an American obsession, Barbara was an active proponent of physical fitness. She ran marathons, swam daily, skied, canoed, sailed, hiked, split the wood that heated her home and enjoyed almost all sports. But she also shared those passions, leading exercise classes into her 90’s and teaching hundreds of children and adults how to swim.

Barbara is survived by her nephews and niece: Mark Lutes (Jean) of Bethesda, MD; David Lutes (Karen) of Redmond, OR; Christopher Lutes (Anne) of Chapel Hill, NC; and Theresa Burdge Thompson of Radcliff, KY; eleven grand-nephews and grand-nieces, eight (and counting) great-grand nephews and nieces, as well as her beloved godson, Shepherd Kendrick Kojo Asante (4) of Wilbraham, MA.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, July 19, at 2 p.m. at Center Church in South Hadley, followed by a reception in the church’s Fellowship Hall. Interment at Evergreen Cemetery, also in South Hadley, will be scheduled at a later date. The O’Brien Family Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.

For online condolences or more information, please visit obrienfamilyfh.com. Donations in her memory may be made to Center Church of South Hadley or the South Hadley Chorale.