Barbara Hamilton Cerny

Barbara Hamilton Cerny, age 86, a longtime resident of Garrison, New York and Atlanta, Georgia, passed away peacefully Monday, July 13, 2020.

Barbara was born July 9, 1934, and moved as a child between Daytona Beach, FL and Garrison, NY. Barbara attended Haldane High School in Cold Spring, NY, before receiving a music scholarship to attend the University of Miami (FL) where she earned her B.A. degree in both music and education. Barbara was a member of Delta Gamma sorority and was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa honorary society. After graduation, Barbara worked on her graduate degree in Education Studies from NYU while also teaching 1st grade in Scarsdale, NY for several years. In 1958, she married Frank John Cerny of Cold Spring and Garrison, NY and turned her attention to her growing family of 5 sons, all born between 1960 and 1969.

Barbara was passionate about her family, particularly her children and grandchildren, who were the perpetual light of her life. Barbara was also a talented piano player, organizing celebrated Christmas pageants throughout the 1960’s and 1970’s and serving as musical director for the Delray Beach (FL) Playhouse in the mid 1970’s. Barbara also enjoyed a successful career as a realtor, initially working for Claude Allen Realty in Fort Myers, FL in the late 1970’s alongside her beloved mother Freda Hamilton, through her retirement in the late 1990’s with Harry Norman Realtors in Atlanta, GA, where she was a Phoenix Award winner. In retirement, Barbara volunteered with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and donated her time as a Stephen Ministries counselor.

Barbara was preceded in death by her husband Frank John Cerny, parents Freda Louise Hilton Hamilton and Richard Homer Hamilton, brother Richard Hilton Hamilton, and sister Laura Susan Hamilton.

Barbara is survived by sons, Richard Hamilton Cerny of Roswell, Georgia, John Hilton Cerny of Eagle, Colorado, Christopher Rand Cerny of Atlanta, Georgia, Andrew Peter Cerny of Macon, Georgia, and Mark Rixon Cerny of Fort Myers, Florida. Barbara is also survived by daughters-in-law, Mary Huch Cerny and Laura Wadleigh Cerny; son-in-law, John Wesley Wilson; daughters-in-law, Lynn Bullard Cerny and Catherine Nickell Fleming Cerny, as well as sister-in-law, Pauline Cerny Constantino of Cold Spring, New York, and sister-in-law, Barbara Kendall Hamilton of Fort Myers, Florida. Barbara also leaves behind 12 grandchildren, Kristen Rand Cerny (Christopher) Duncan, Katherine Nicole Cerny (Connor) Buechner, Austin Frank Cerny, Lauren Hilton Cerny (Parker) Stults, Madison Jane Cerny, Piper Hamilton Cerny (Turner) Ozmer, Garret Hilton Cerny, Frank John Cerny II, Carine Herrington Cerny, Andrew Halliman Cerny, Roan John Hamilton Cerny, and William Torrence Fleming III; and one great-grandchild, Hazel Kate Duncan.

Private burial will take place in Cold Spring Cemetery. Due to COVID, Barbara’s memorial service will take place next year on July 9, 2021 in  Cold Spring, New York

We love you Mom and Nana – Your light will never dim!