Barbara Cox-Niquette

Barbara Frances Cox-Niquette, age 91, of South Burlington, Vermont, passed away on May 23, 2024.

Barbara was born on March 3, 1933, in Stoneham, Massachusetts, to her late parents Beatrice Ramsdell Cox (1996) and Leroy Marshall Cox (1992). She was preceded in death by her husband Paul B. Niquette (2021), ex-husband Herbert A. Hollenbeck (2014), son Glen M.

Hollenbeck (2015), and grandson Nathan R. Hollenbeck (1986).

Barbara is survived by her daughter Karen H. Hollenbeck and her lifetime partner Kathleen Sutkowski of Grafton, MA; her son Robert A.

Hollenbeck and his wife Mary (Thibault), their daughter Jessica Gray and her husband Kyle and their two sons Chase and Kameron, all of Hinesburg, VT; her daughter Carol F. Hollenbeck   and her wife Carolynn O'Donnell of Colchester, VT; her step-daughter Tracey Potter-LaBarre and her husband Joseph of Pembroke, NH; her step-children Eve Niquette and husband Charles Pohl of San Francisco, CA and their three children Geneva, Charlotte, and Sophira; Kimberly Niquette and husband Winston Krone of Dorset, England and their two children Alienor and Jasper; Paula Nenninger and husband Todd Nenninger of South Burlington, VT and their two children Sumner and Rowan; and Douglas Niquette and wife Melissa of Plattsburgh, NY and their four children Morgan, Dugan, Fenway and Lawson.

She graduated from Stoneham High School in Stoneham, MA in 1950 and Bryant & Stratton Business School in Boston, MA, where she studied bookkeeping. She continued her professional education throughout her career, including taking courses at the University of Vermont and Champlain Community College from 1978 through 1994. In her professional career, she was the Owner of Norfolk Paint & Wallpaper in Melrose, MA (early 1960s). She was Head of Bookkeeping of Vermont Furniture Company in Winooski, VT (1967-1975), Bookkeeper at Gravel & Shea, Attorneys in Burlington, VT (1975-1987), President & Treasurer of the family store LaserWorld, Inc. with multiple locations in Vermont (1988-1997), and Bookkeeper at House of Sewing in Essex, VT (1989-1994).

Not to be outdone, Barbara was very active in her community. She was Treasurer for 12 years for the Milton Fair Committee, Choir Director and Organist at the Milton United Church, and Chair of the Milton Bicentennial Committee. She received the Community Citizen Award from the Milton Grange in 1977.  She served as Milton Recreation Commissioner for ten years. She was Member and past Officer of many fraternal and women's organizations, including Grand Pianist for the Order of the Eastern Star.

In her younger years, Barbara was active in the Girl Scouts and Rainbow for Girls. She enjoyed playing many sports, including basketball and field hockey, and loved swimming, riding, and square dancing. Her first husband Herbert Hollenbeck was her high school sweetheart. After the births of their four children, they moved to Milton, Vermont in 1966. Barb and Herb bred German shepherds, took square-dancing classes, and enjoyed camping with the kids. Barbara also initiated Girl Scouts in Milton.

In 1978, Barbara and Herbert divorced. Barbara joined an organization called Burlington Singles - a group for widows, widowers, divorcees and singles that put on activities where people could meet. It was here that she met her second husband, Paul. Barbara and Paul loved traveling together, including to China, Mexico, Alaska, California, and many other places in their RV. They were married in 2000 after being together for 13 years.

Barbara was a beloved individual known for her congenial nature and good rapport with all types of people. She had a passion for music, gardening, traveling, and puzzling with her new friends at Harborview.

Not many know that she also did belly-dancing. She was an avid genealogy enthusiast and enjoyed playing the piano, organ, and guitar.

Barbara's favorite drink was an old-fashioned, which she enjoyed at any occasion.

A service to honor Barbara's life will be held on Sunday, June 2, 2024, at Minor Funeral Home in Milton, VT. Calling hours will be from

1 pm to 3 pm, with the service following at 3 pm, including tributes from Georgia Plains Baptist Church and the Order of the Eastern Star.