Barbara Madison Hooker
October 10, 1936 – September 17, 2023
Barbara Madison Hooker, 86, of Port Charlotte, FL, and formerly of Leesburg, FL, passed away September 17, 2023, at her home in South Port Square.
Barbara was born on October 10, 1936, in Buffalo, New York. She graduated from South Park High School and Rochester Institute of Technology. She moved to Elmira, NY, with her husband, where she had an active life filled with operating her own interior decorating business including upholstery and sewing of draperies and curtains.
Barbara was very active in Trinity Episcopal Church; she also worked for COPE House for several years in adult education. In 1979, she and Bob took a leap and bought the Red Pelican Gift Shop & Marina in Englewood, FL, and worked together for 10 years. During that time, she was a member of the Business & Professional Women’s Club & St. David’s Altar Guild. The business was sold in 1989 and retirement included much travel and many hours volunteering with Meals on Wheels.
In 2007, they moved to Leesburg, FL, and enjoyed a retirement community lifestyle. In 2017, after her husband’s death, she moved to Port Charlotte to be closer to her daughters. Barbara was a gourmet cook and baker making several family wedding and special occasion cakes. She was an excellent hostess and continued her sewing talent throughout her life.
Barbara is survived by her beloved daughters, Patricia Ryan, of Port Charlotte, FL, and Janice (Edward) Kyle of Sarasota, FL, cousins and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 59 years, Robert E. Hooker, son-in-law, Dennis Ryan, sister Marjorie M. Hock, and parents, Harry and Dorothy Madison.
Interment will be with her husband at the National Cemetery in Bushnell, FL. Services will be private. Memorial donations may be made to your local Meals on Wheels or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
