Barbara A. Aiken

East Longmeadow – Barbara A. Aiken, 90, of East Longmeadow, passed away on June 20, 2025.

She leaves behind her son, Loren J. Smith of TN; her son, Harold L. Ridings, Jr. of AK; her son, Phillip C. Ridings of AK; her sisters, Jackie and Cheryl Aiken, both of Belchertown; as well as her several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. She was predeceased by her brothers, William, Raymond, and Jerrold Aiken (all of Warren), David Aiken of MI, and Allan Aiken of FL; and by her sister, Joan Ross, of Springfield. She was born on March 21, 1935, in North Brookfield, to the late William J. and Hazel (Slate) Aiken.

Barbara grew up in Warren, but she came to lead the life of a movie star, according to her sisters. She traveled far and wide throughout her lifetime, from the Brookfields and Warren area to California, Tennessee, and beyond. For 35 years, she worked as a book binder by trade. In Johnson City, Tennessee, she worked for 10 years as a CNA for the Appalachian Christian Village. She also became a member of the Bible Holiness Church in Erwin, TN. She was a gifted sharpshooter as well, with both pistols and rifles, having won several awards and ribbons for her skill. She also enjoyed collecting music boxes, and she took particular interest in their beautifully ornate designs.

A Funeral Service for Barbara will be held on Friday, June 27, 2025, at 11:00am in Varnum Funeral Home, 43 East Main Street, West Brookfield, MA 01585. A Calling Hour will be held in the funeral home at 10:00am prior to the service. Attendees that wish to attend are asked to gather at the Oak Grove Cemetery, 426 Bay Street, in Springfield for Burial at 1:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave. Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601, online at www.alz.org , or to any other Dementia or Alzheimer’s charity of one’s choice.

Varnum Funeral Home is honored to serve the Aiken family. An online tribute is available at www.varnumfuneralhome.com .