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BORN
03/09/1946
DIED
09/11/2025
Barbara Walden Obituary
Barbara was born on March 9, 1946 in Rockville Centre, Long Island to Howard and Edythe Ris. Soon after, Garden City, Long Island became her hometown where she graduated from Garden City High in 1964. From there Barbara attended Bradford Junior College and then Cedar Crest College. She was presented in 1963 at the Cornelia Cotillion and was a provisional member of the North Shore Junior League. Not long after, Barbara met the love of her life, Thomas Walden III in 1966 and they married on June 22, 1968.
Barbara and Tom settled in Summit, New Jersey where they raised their two children and were active members of the community. Barbara quickly became a volunteer for the Fortnightly Club, Junior League of Summit, Reeves-Reed Arboretum and Calvary Espiscopal Church. When not volunteering, Barbara often spent time baking, perfecting her gardens, needlepointing something treasured for a family member or playing golf at Baltusrol Golf Club where she and Tom were long time members and established many amazing friendships.
Lake Placid, NY was Barbara's home away from home. She adored her time there where she and Tom spent many months at their family lake house. Barbara enjoyed endless hours, reading on the dock, teaching her children both cross-country and downhill skiing, playing golf and entertaining friends. Her desire to give back followed her to Lake Placid, as well. She became an integral member of the Lake Placid Institute where she served on the board for eight years, diligently fundraising and organizing new and exciting opportunities for the community.
Barbara was a devoted mother, grandmother, and friend, known for her kindness, strength, generosity and genuine interest in getting to know each and every person she met. Her life was a beautiful example of love, resilience, and selflessness. She is survived by her loving children, Thomas Walden IV and wife Katherine (Kate) Walden (nee Huneke) and Laura Walden Dugan and husband Brendan Dugan; her brother Bud Ris and wife Peggy Ris and their children; and her adored grandchildren: Thomas Henry Walden, Elizabeth (Tess) Jane Walden, Avery Catherine Dugan and Edythe Evelyn Dugan; and many others who loved her dearly. She was pre-deceased by her adoring husband, Thomas Walden III, and her parents, Howard Ris and Edythe Ris (nee Arenholz).
A funeral/memorial service will be held on October 4, 2025 at 10:00 a.m., at Calvary Episcopal Church in Summit, NJ. All who knew and loved Barbara are welcome to attend and celebrate her life.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Lake Placid Institute, The Lake Placid Shore Owners Association, or Adirondack Medical Center, in her honor.
Her memory will live on in the hearts of all who were fortunate enough to know her.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Barbara Walden
Sponsored by The Family.
Eric Wamsganz
October 4, 2025
Good morning to the family of Barbara Ris Walden:
My condolence to each and every one of you who have lost an earth angel...
Although I only knew Barbara for a short time,
Touch my heart dearly,
Leaving an imprint that will last forever deep in my soul...
I will never forget her or her kindness. But mostly for her listening and reciprocal sharing.
She was one of the very few people I i have ever known to be unequaled in the skill set of caring, sharing, but mostly her listening and reciprocal value were unequaled...
She literally stole my heart from these actions reciprocating my care for her deeply...
It is with great sadness that I share these memories with her beautiful children, their families and her grandchildren.
Circumstances prevent me from being at the service today,
however my presence is there from deep in my soul in the presence of god and through all his gifts and glory, I send my prayers, my well wishes, the grace and time that I spent with her will forever be in my heart.
It is with a heavy heart this morning that I send my condolence.
for I am assured, this is one of the hardest days ever for her children and extended families...
My deepest sympathy carried on to you our lord in heaven, may your souls be touched by the blessings she has left behind for you.
In both physical and spirit.
She wasn't unequaled decent human being, and I will miss her tremendously as I am assured, all of you will also, may this day be remembered for her greatness, rather than the sadness of her passing...
For she has now gone from earth angel, to an angel from above, and we can all rest assured, that she is now sitting at the big man's table throwing all her bargaining chips down here on earth for all her loved ones.
As she now rides the sky with her angel wings alongside her beloved husband, Thomas, the third, the love of her life as she spoke of his love often...
We all know he was sitting on a bench on the other side waiting for her...
We are all able to now pray for their reunion in heaven, may their shared blessings shower your souls today as they will mine...
Eric Wamsganz
Pete Snieckus and Nancy Hennessey
September 26, 2025
Barbara and Tom lived across the street from us on Valley View Ave. in Summit.
They were great neighbors and good friends! They will be missed.
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Ron Balsbaugh
September 17, 2025
Barbara loved to hear me refer to Tom as Lt. Walden as we would tell our war stories at Ft. Hood, Texas. We loved our time together in New Jersey 1977-1982.
Leslie Carson
September 17, 2025
Barbara frequently opened her home and large side yard for Junior League gatherings- Steak Roasts and Sustainer coffees. We always had a wonderful time together at her home. She was a very gracious hostess.
Pam Mingle
September 17, 2025
Barbara was a dear friend for many years in Summit. Our connection was neighbor, children, golf and just good fun times together. We moved to Florida 30 years but the friendship was never forgotten
Rest in peace Barb
The Hynes Family
September 17, 2025
The best neighbor, most gracious host, authentic, quick to smile and an automatic laugh at a mediocre joke. The Valley View community has lost but will always cherish this absolute legend.
Claire Doyle
September 16, 2025
I don´t know where to begin. Barb was a wonderful spirit, quick to laugh, and a great friend. I loved her sense of humor and her joyous sense of life that she shared with others. I will miss her very much.
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