Barbara White passed away at her home in New Canaan, Conn., on May 16, 2025, of natural causes. She was 99.
Barbara White
Born in Camden, New Jersey, on June 25, 1925, to Robert E. and Ella O’Donovan, Barbara, known to friends and family as Babs, grew up in Montclair, New Jersey, where she attended Montclair Kimberley Academy. Her mother, a successful visual artist, no doubt sowed the seeds for Babs’ own passion for painting, design and fashion. She earned a bachelor’s degree in art history from Smith College in 1946 and subsequently landed a job as a fashion illustrator at Women’s Wear Daily.
In 1948, Babs married Robert O. White, a commercial banker with Chemical Bank, who predeceased her in 2000. They later settled in Montclair, New Jersey, where they raised four sons. Babs resumed her work with Women’s Wear Daily as a freelance artist, and with advertising agencies in New York City.
Following two years in England in the mid-1960s, where her husband headed the London office of Chemical Bank, the White family resettled in Darien, Conn. Babs would later join the Darien Historical Society (now the Museum of Darien) as the costume curator. For over five decades, her exhibits, reflecting a deep knowledge of sociocultural history and an astute rigor in curatorial design, would capture the imagination of thousands of visitors from New England and beyond, including scholars and fellow curators who would seek out her sage counsel.
By the time she retired, in 2020, at age 95, the costume collection, under her guidance, had grown to over 3,000 items, ranging from dresses and suits to shoes and accessories – some dating back to the 18th century. Fittingly, the collection bears her name. She would earn a number of accolades, including a community service award from then-Connecticut Governor John Rowland.
Babs complemented her prowess in curation and design with an abiding passion for gardening. She was a long-time member of the Garden Club of Darien, which granted her Honorary Member status in 2012; in the previous year, she earned the Garden Club of America Appreciation Award.
Babs also loved to travel, including visits to Europe and Asia. Her love of the arts included regular excursions to New York City for theater, ballet and opera. Finally, she was an avid tennis player, a hobby she enjoyed well into her 80s.
Babs White is survived by four sons and their respective spouses – Peter White and Lee Fox of Pittsford, N.Y.; David White and Susan White of Bend, Ore.; Thomas White and Karen Mack of Los Angeles, Calif.; and Robert White Jr. and Beth Panella of Newton, Mass. as well as six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
A memorial service is scheduled for Sunday, June 22 at 2:00 p.m. at the Museum of Darien, 45 Old King’s Highway, Darien, CT. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Museum of Darien or the New Canaan Emergency Medical Service.
The White family is being compassionately cared for by the staff at Hoyt Funeral Home, 199 Main Street New Canaan CT 06840. For online condolences please visit www.hoytfuneralhome.com.
Mrs. White was always elegant and always interested in the person in front of her. It was a pleasure to know her. She created a delightful game with animal crackers and enjoyed playing the game when small children visited. Her sons have chosen the perfect place for her memorial service as she gave so much time and attention to the Museum of Darien.