Vermont Business Magazine Former Vermont First Lady, State Senator, and Lieutenant Governor Barbara W Snelling died today, surrounded by her family at home in South Burlington. She was the wife of the late Governor Richard A Snelling. Dick Snelling served two separate terms as governor, from 1977 to 1985 and from January 1991 to his death that August at age 64. Barbara Snelling was elected the state's 76th lieutenant governor in 1992 and presided over the state Senate from 1993 to 1997 during the Dean Administration. See obituary below.
Barbara Snelling in 2006. VBM file photo.
The Republican then launched a campaign for governor in 1996 but suffered a life-threatening cerebral hemorrhage that forced her out of the race. After recovering, she then won election as a Chittenden County state senator for two terms until another stroke caused her to resign in 2002.
Before her Montpelier appointments, she was the chair of both the Shelburne and Champlain Valley Union High School boards. One of the Houses at CVU is named in her honor.
Governor Peter Shumlin issued the following statement: “Barbara Snelling served Vermont with great distinction in roles big and small. Whether in service to her state or community, Barbara will always be remembered for her compassion and dedication and for overcoming great personal tragedy to continue to give back to the state she loved. The Snelling family has given and continues to give so much to Vermont. My thoughts are with the entire family and all those who knew Barbara.”
Lieutenant Governor Phil Scott issued the following statement: “Barbara Snelling is a Vermonter who lived her life in a way we can all learn from. She reminded us that as public servants, we must selflessly put progress ahead of politics. As family members, she reminded us of the value of empowering our spouse, our children and our friends to find their voice and serve.
“I served with Barbara in the Senate. We were freshmen legislators together – though she was more experienced, having served as Lieutenant Governor before serving in the Senate.
“Vermonters can honor Barbara by carrying on her legacy of public service, finding ways to work with others, and living our lives to the fullest – leaving no opportunity behind.
“She was a true public servant, and my thoughts are with her family and friends during this difficult time.”
Snelling’s family is planning a private service and burial as well as a public celebration of her life to be announced at a later date.
OBITUARY
Barbara W. Snelling, a Vermont icon died peacefully today at her home in So. Burlington surrounded by her family. Barbara Tuttle Weil was born in Fall River, Massachusetts on March 22, 1928 to the Reverend F. Taylor and Hazel (Russell) Weil. Barbara was the Lt. Governor of Vermont (1993-1997) and was the wife of Governor Richard A. Snelling (1977-1985/1991). Her career as a citizen volunteer, business and academic professional and elected official was all the more remarkable given her devotion and support as a mother and to her husband’s business and political career. Her leadership in community involvement has served as a model for generations of Vermonters.
The daughter of an Episcopal minister, Barbara attended Beaver Country Day School on a full scholarship. Nicknamed Swifty by her school classmates, Barbara lived up to the nickname throughout her life.
Barbara attended Smith College for two years and then after meeting and marrying Richard, she transferred to Radcliffe where she graduated magna cum laude and had her children Jacqueline and Mark by her graduation day. After a brief stop in Philadelphia, where Diane was born, Richard and Barbara moved to Vermont where Andrew was born.
Richard and Barbara moved to Vermont to raise their family in the wonderful Vermont community of Shelburne. As a child, Barbara’s summer home was in Newfane, Vermont to allow her minister father to have a summer parish out of Boston. While Richard started a business and political career, Barbara raised the children and applied her boundless energy to the community and to making it and all of Vermont a better place for all Vermonters.
Barbara began her civic career by founding the Shelburne Cooperative Nursery School and Kindergarten so her daughter could have a quality preschool education. This was the first of her work in education followed by the local school board, founding Chair of the Champlain Valley Union High School district, Chair of the Chittenden South District, President of the State School Directors Association and as a member of the Vermont State Board of Education.
During this time period, Barbara also was a Girl Scout troop leader for almost 10 years as well as a Cub Scout Den mother. She later served on the Board of Directors of the Vermont Council of Girl Scouts.
Barbara spent many years closely working as a volunteer with Chittenden County United Way serving as President in 1972 and 1973. Her work there included serving as Chair of the Founding Committees on Child Care Referral Services and the Champlain Valley Area Agency on Aging. This early work laid the foundation of today’s efforts to give our children the best start possible in life and to treat our seniors with the respect they deserve.
When Barbara’s children had grown, she began work as Vice President for Development and External Affairs at the University of Vermont for 8 years. During that time period, she also was Founding chair of Leadership Champlain, served on the Board of the Lake Champlain Chamber, and as Chair of the Governor’s Commission on the status of Women’s Task Force on Economic Issues.
In 1982 Barbara left UVM and started her own internationally acclaimed consulting business, Snelling and Kolb, which she ran for 14 years. In her spare time, Barbara was Founding chair of the Friends of the Vermont State House and a founding Director of the Vermont Community Foundation. These two organizations reflect Vermont as its finest; preserving the beauty and character of Vermont’s history while looking to strengthen Vermont’s future.
When Governor Snelling died of a sudden heart attack in 1991, Barbara turned her efforts to working to improve Vermont as an elected official. She was elected Lt. Governor in 1992 and served until 1997. She began a campaign for Governor in 1996 but suffered a life threatening cerebral hemorrhage. All of Vermont prayed for her and cheered her improbable recovery. She did recover and ran for Lt. Governor again in 1998 and lost by 500 votes. Not happy to retire, Barbara ran for the Chittenden County Senate and served two terms until another stroke caused her to resign. Barbara’s political career was during a time of great economic difficulty and she served as a strong advocate for prudent fiscal responsibility and was known to be able to work across the political spectrum.
Over the years, Barbara has received numerous awards including honorary degrees from St. Michaels College, The University of Vermont, Norwich University and Middlebury College. She was also honored as Citizen of the Year by The Vermont State Chamber and The Green Mountain Council Boy Scouts.
Barbara is survived by her children and grandchildren. Jacqueline of Arlington, VA (Richard Mansfield IV, Charles Mansfield ), Mark and Linda of Starksboro, VT (Matthew Falco, Kristen, Lukas), Senator Diane Snelling of Hinesburg, VT and Andrew and Joanna of Townsend, VT (Rebecca, Eliza) and her brother Russell Weil of Chevy Chase, Maryland.
Services and burial will be private with a public Celebration of Barbara’s life to be announced.
Donations in Barbara’s memory may be made to The Snelling Center for Government, PO Box 790, Shelburne, VT 05482.(www. Snellingcenter.org)
VTDigger.org contributed to this report.