Barbara J Carpenter

Barbara J. Carpenter, 87, of Main Mill Street Plattsburgh, passed away on February 12, at the UVM-CVPH Medical Center with her loving family by her side. She was born in Plattsburgh on October 8, 1934, the daughter of Emile Robert and Carolyn (Premore) Prokop.
Barb was a dog lover, an avid sports fan, and a rabid Elvis fan, but that is only a part of her story.
Barb lived life to have fun, and while her adventures are too numerous to list, we would like to share some of her more notable ones. In her younger days, Barb drove across the country with her girlfriends in her beloved Mercury convertible. In the blazing heat of the Midwest and with the top down, the girls stripped down to their brassieres giving many a truck driver a memorable day. As an adult, she took her children, their significant others, her grandchildren, and her dear friend Denise Nephew to Disney Orlando – the park will never be the same. She has traveled up and down the East Coast with both friends and family and once climbed to the top of Chimney Rock in NC. Her children have lost track of the number of times she visited Graceland in Memphis, and her daughters were fortunate enough to be with her for her last trip there to witness the childlike wonder with which she yet again explored every room in the mansion. A lesser-known fact is that she once had her hair styled to look like Elvis’s.
Along with being an adventurer, she was also a pioneer as the first female police officer in the City of Plattsburgh. She was a secretary by trade and could type and transcribe faster than most people can think. She was the mayor’s assistant serving under 3 different mayors and retired in 2002. With her bottomless candy bowl, ever present fresh coffee, and infectious smile, she gained the love and respect of city employees, politicians, nosy reporters, and members of the public. Her love of fashion and jewelry were always obvious, and she always looked spectacular. Even through her last days, she was always seen sporting a pretty outfit as well as bling.
Barb’s greatest accomplishment, however, was being an amazing mother to her 4 children. She supported their every dream, and never missed a dance recital or basketball, hockey, or football game no matter the weather or distance. She welcomed her children’s friends unconditionally, and it was rare for any celebratory dinner to be “just family.” She always found a way to make room for “just one more,” and her home was sometimes referred to jokingly as a home for wayward children. No one was ever uncomfortable or unwelcomed at Barb’s home. She made no judgements about anyone and was proud of her children even when they might not have been deserving of her pride – especially when they might not have been deserving of her pride. Her chocolate amaretto cheesecake was legendary, as was her homemade macaroni and cheese.
She was a great fan of the NY Yankees, the Boston Celtics, and much to her children’s dismay, Duke basketball. She loved music, stand-up comedy, and happy hour. She valued friendship and family, and as an only child counted her many cousins as siblings.
Barb is survived by her children Tim Carpenter and his wife Lori, Carrie Collins and her husband Rick, Mike Carpenter and his wife Liz, and Laura LeBlanc and her husband Larry. She is also survived by her grandchildren Parker Carpenter and his wife Emily and Jeremy Carpenter. She was predeceased by her parents.
The family would like to thank the staff at Champlain Valley Senior Community and the Clinton County Nursing Home for the love and care that they provided to Barb as well as the staff at UVM-CVPH Medical Center for their care and compassion towards Barb and her family in her final days.
Visitation will be on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 from 4:00-7:00pm at the Brown Funeral Home, Plattsburgh. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, February 17, 2022 at 11:00am at Our Lady of Victory Church, Plattsburgh. Burial will be at a later date in St. Peter’s Cemetery.
The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Clinton County Nursing Home Activities Fund, 16 Flynn Avenue, Plattsburgh, NY 12901
Arrangements are entrusted to the Brown Funeral Home, 29 Broad St. in Plattsburgh. (518) 561-3980. Online condolences may be offered at www.brownfuneralhomeinc.com.