Obituary for Barbara Ann Cummings (Galli)
Barbara Ann Cummings, born Barbara Ann Galli to the late Reno and Dorothy Galli on June 7th, 1940. She was a big sister to Janet Mcabe and Richard Galli, stepsister to Elaine Savattere and Donald Brennon and stepdaughter to Mary Galli. Barbara departed this earthly life on Saturday December 17, 2022.
She is survived by her husband William L. Cummings Jr. of 63 years; 3 children, Robert Cummings, Julie Jessup, and Sandra Cummings DeWitt. Daughter in-law Kerry Cummings, son’s in-law, Mark Jessup, and Robert DeWitt; grandchildren, Timothy Field, and wife Ashlie Field, Chad Cummings, Ariel Cummings, Jack Cummings, and Alexandra Jessup; great grandchildren, Isaac Cummings, Dana Field, Daniel Field, and twins Juniper and Olive Kozea.
She was an avid reader from the beginning, spending hours every day at the library near her home in Warwick, RI. The librarian set aside a special desk and chair just for her. That librarian’s mentoring influenced her greatly and she spent her life teaching and mentoring others.
She Graduated from Warwick Veterans HS in Rhode Island, class of 1958, at the top of her class. She attended Rhode Island College before transferring to the University of Rhode Island where she obtained her Undergraduate Degree as well as her Masters in American Literature through the “Continuing Education for Women” program. She taught American Literature at the URI Campus in Kingston RI.
In 1965 she moved to Endicott, NY with her husband Bill when he was offered a job with IBM. They moved back to Rhode Island in 1967 where she returned to teaching at the University of Rhode Island.
In 1979 they moved to Germantown, Maryland, where she became very active in the art community and was one of the founding members of the Art League of Germantown (ALOG). ALOG became one of the largest art leagues in MD and is still active today. Barbara became proficient in many disciplines from watercolor to batik and even stained glass as well as jewelry design and won awards in a few of these categories. Barbara was awarded the Lifetime Membership Award.
While in Maryland, she followed her love of literature and became deeply involved in the Washington Romance Writers (WRW) group. She authored over 17 books from historical romance to mysteries, receiving many awards, including the first, Outstanding Achievement Award. Her books won awards for “best of” categories from WRW.
After moving to Charles Town, West Virginia in 1999, Barbara became an Adjunct Professor of American Literature at Shepherd University. Spending over 10 years doing what she loved best, being with her students (many became lifelong friends) and discussing literature, along with many other subjects. One of her passions was to mentor her students and colleagues and she would want you to pass on your talents and love of life’s offerings to others.
Please remember her for all of her love, generosity, wisdom, smiles, laughs, and accomplishments until we see her again.
Her final days were at the “Hospice of the Panhandle” in Jefferson County WV. The care there was extraordinary, and she asks that you donate in her honor to a Hospice near you.
She is survived by her husband William L. Cummings Jr. of 63 years; 3 children, Robert Cummings, Julie Jessup, and Sandra Cummings DeWitt. Daughter in-law Kerry Cummings, son’s in-law, Mark Jessup, and Robert DeWitt; grandchildren, Timothy Field, and wife Ashlie Field, Chad Cummings, Ariel Cummings, Jack Cummings, and Alexandra Jessup; great grandchildren, Isaac Cummings, Dana Field, Daniel Field, and twins Juniper and Olive Kozea.
She was an avid reader from the beginning, spending hours every day at the library near her home in Warwick, RI. The librarian set aside a special desk and chair just for her. That librarian’s mentoring influenced her greatly and she spent her life teaching and mentoring others.
She Graduated from Warwick Veterans HS in Rhode Island, class of 1958, at the top of her class. She attended Rhode Island College before transferring to the University of Rhode Island where she obtained her Undergraduate Degree as well as her Masters in American Literature through the “Continuing Education for Women” program. She taught American Literature at the URI Campus in Kingston RI.
In 1965 she moved to Endicott, NY with her husband Bill when he was offered a job with IBM. They moved back to Rhode Island in 1967 where she returned to teaching at the University of Rhode Island.
In 1979 they moved to Germantown, Maryland, where she became very active in the art community and was one of the founding members of the Art League of Germantown (ALOG). ALOG became one of the largest art leagues in MD and is still active today. Barbara became proficient in many disciplines from watercolor to batik and even stained glass as well as jewelry design and won awards in a few of these categories. Barbara was awarded the Lifetime Membership Award.
While in Maryland, she followed her love of literature and became deeply involved in the Washington Romance Writers (WRW) group. She authored over 17 books from historical romance to mysteries, receiving many awards, including the first, Outstanding Achievement Award. Her books won awards for “best of” categories from WRW.
After moving to Charles Town, West Virginia in 1999, Barbara became an Adjunct Professor of American Literature at Shepherd University. Spending over 10 years doing what she loved best, being with her students (many became lifelong friends) and discussing literature, along with many other subjects. One of her passions was to mentor her students and colleagues and she would want you to pass on your talents and love of life’s offerings to others.
Please remember her for all of her love, generosity, wisdom, smiles, laughs, and accomplishments until we see her again.
Her final days were at the “Hospice of the Panhandle” in Jefferson County WV. The care there was extraordinary, and she asks that you donate in her honor to a Hospice near you.