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HANOVER, N.H. - Barbara Anne (Helstowski) (Banford) Parker, 67, died Jan. 19, 2012, with her family by her side at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Hanover, N.H.

Barbara was born June 28, 1944, in Brattleboro, Vt., to Edward G. and Eleanor D. "Dottie" Helstowski, of East Dover, Vt.

She was preceded in death by her infant son, Brian Banford. Barbara is survived by her sister, Sylvia M. (Helstowski) Tobey of Vernon, Vt.

She is survived by her children, Rachelle (Banford) and husband Dean Vanier, Lucille Banford and fiancé Richard Burke, Kristen Parker, David Banford Jr. and fiancé Bonnie Willette, Shane Banford and wife Carrie, Harold "J.R." Parker and wife Melanie, Bobbie Joel Parker and girlfriend Crystal.

She had 18 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and six nieces and nephews, all dear to her heart. Barbara rarely missed a birthday.

Her interests and hobbies included spending time with family and friends, barbecuing, puzzles and bird watching. She loved horses, dogs and cats, cooking, country and western music and movies.

She devoted much of her time and energy "caretaking" children and pets of other families as if they were her own. She spent time at the Vernon Free Library, selecting her favorite books as she loved to read.

She was a member of various animal rescue chapters and had a tremendous passion for cats and dogs. Barbara loved to fish and hunt, and proudly taught her children the same. She was also quite the mechanic. She loved old cars and tinkering with them.

Barbara attended high school in Wilmington, Vt.

She later settled in East Dover, then moved to Bratttleboro. Her love of horses took her to Putney, Vt., where she started Rocky Top Stables, giving trail rides and lessons.

For the past six years Barbara resided in Vernon, Vt., with her sister Sylvia and horses.

A memorial service will be held Feb. 4, 2012, at noon at First Methodist Church, 18 Town Crier Drive, Brattleboro, Vt.

A potluck reception will be held from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Eagles Club, 54 Chickering Drive, Brattleboro, Vt., to honor her life and celebrate her love of cooking for others.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Vernon Free Library, Vernon, Vt., Monadnock Humane Society, Keene, N.H., or the Windham County Humane Society, Brattleboro, Vt.