Barbara Nell Gilderdale 91, of New Cannan, CT passed away peacefully on July 12, 2013, in the company of her family and dear friend Susanne Ainsworth at Norwalk Hospital following a brief illness. The daughter of the late Frederic T. & Henrietta Osgood Gilderdale, Barbara was born on November 14, 1921 in Colrain, MA at the family farm she dearly loved. Barbara attended Spurr School in Colrain and was a 1939 graduate of Arms Academy in Shelburne Falls, MA. Her library career began at The Springfield (MA) City Library followed by a position with the Greenfield (MA) Public Free Library which led to the New Britain (CT) Library. In 1954 she joined the staff of The New Canaan Library where she retired from in 1982. Barbara attended Trinity College and received her BA from the University of New Hampshire and a MALS from the University of Denver. She was predeceased by her father in 1974, her mother in 1976, her sister Helen Frederica Gilderdale in 2002 and her brother William Osgood Gilderdale in 2006 in addition to her dear friend Lillie Specht and beloved pets, Laki, Ginger, Taffy, Lady & Abbie. She is survived by two nephews, David of Randolph, VT, Alan of Colrain, MA and one niece Judy Fowler of Halifax, VT, five grandnieces, 2 grandnephews, 3 great grandnieces, 4 great grandnephews, five first cousins as well as the many close friends she has made over her years in New Canaan. The family historian, her hobbies included genealogy and travelling. In 1961 she travelled to England to view the Gilderdale castle, forest & creek near London. Barbara enjoyed her many trips to Cape Cod, MA. She was a trail guide at the New Canaan Nature center, a member of the genealogy club at Lapham, volunteered at the New Canaan Historical Society and was a member of the Congregational Church of New Canaan. Arrangements are under the direction of Hoyt Funeral Home, New Canaan. Graveside services and burial will be at a later date in the family lot in the North River Cemetery, Colrain, MA.