Elizabeth Archer Gee was born Dec. 23, 1929 in Fall River, MA. Although she grew up in Fall River, Barcher summered in Salters Point, South Dartmouth, where she met the love of her life, John “Jack” L. Threshie of Padanaram, MA. Barcher attended Dana Hall School in Wellesley, MA and then Chevy Chase College in the late 1940s before she married Jack in 1951.
While Jack began his textile career in New Bedford, MA they were blessed with their first of six children in 1952, Carolyn Archer. Barcher and Jack followed his career path with Burlington Industries in 1955 to various cities throughout the south including Virginia, West Virginia and North Carolina. They moved 11 times in 13 years to accommodate Jack’s career during the ’50s and ’60s while Barcher became quite adept at picking out homes, moving the family and making improvements every step of the way. While living in the south they had five more children, including twins! They moved back north in 1965 from High Point, NC to Old Greenwich, again following Jack’s career with Burlington.
In 1967, when Jack was hired away by Berkshire Hathaway, they moved the family to Rochester, MA before moving back to Old Greenwich in 1969. Gratefully, Barcher and Jack were able to retire to Ponte Vedra from 1994-2007, where they enjoyed the beach, ocean and golf before ultimately moving back to Connecticut where they shared their final years together.
While in Old Greenwich, they were proud members of The Innis Arden Golf Club, where they enjoyed and spent years forging lifelong friendships. While in Florida, they carried on that tradition becoming members of The Ponte Vedra Inn and Club.
Barcher was the quintessential suburban housewife and mom, charming, popular and Jack’s soul mate. She was adored by her friends and loved by her family. She was active in the community and made sure her children were as well. Barcher was a gifted artist and loved playing tennis and hosting parties, yet was also one of the first “health food” moms of the ’60s becoming a nutrition counselor for the Diet Center.
As fate would have it and in true love story fashion, Barcher and Jack were born eight days apart in 1929, passing away only 10 days apart, 86 years later. Barcher and Jack were both survived by their daughters, Carolyn “Caren” T. Camp (John) in Alexandria, VA; Betsy T. Krobot (Dave) in BlackRock, CT; Kate A. Jasko (Paul) in Madison, CT; and their sons, John L. Threshie, Jr. in Westport; Richard A. Threshie in Wilton, CT; and Charles “Chuck” F. Threshie in BlackRock, CT. Barcher and Jack have seven grandchildren and she was preceded in death by her sister, Bobbie Griffin.
A memorial service celebrating their life was held Oct. 8, 2016 at the First Congregational Church of Old Greenwich, 108 Sound Beach Ave. Services are in the care of Clancy-Palumbo Funeral Home, East Haven, CT. There will also be another memorial service celebrating their life held in Padanaram, MA during the summer of 2017.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, CT Chapter, 200 Executive Blvd., Suite 4B, Southington, CT 06489 in memory of Elizabeth A. Threshie.
