Barbara Willins Hotchkiss

WEST COLUMBIA - Barbara Willins Hotchkiss died in West Columbia, S.C. on Saturday, December 24, 2016. She was born in New York, N.Y. on July 16, 1924, and spent much of her childhood in Natick, Mass. She attended Cushing Academy in Ashburnham Mass. and received her BA from Wheaton College, Norton Mass. and her MA in Spanish from Middlebury College, Vt. She was predeceased by her husband of 53 years, Richards Woodbury Hotchkiss. She is survived by her daughter, Deborah (Martin) of Columbia, S.C.; her son, David (Marjola); and two grandchildren, Edon and Kira of New Orleans, La. Barbie was a devoted teacher of Spanish for over 55 years. She began her career at the Scarborough School in Briarcliff Manor, N.Y. After marrying in 1949, Barbie and Dick moved from New York, N.Y. to Bethesda Md. She tutored hundreds of students in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, and was affiliated with many private and public high schools, including Landon, Bullis, Holton Arms, St. Albans, National Cathedral, Churchill and Walt Whitman. Teaching was Barbie’s vocation and her hobby. She took pleasure in watching young people succeed in school, and maintained close relationships with many of her students for years after their graduation. In 2005, Barbie moved to Still Hopes Retirement Community in West Columbia, S.C. to be closer to her daughter. She continued to tutor Spanish, enjoyed playing bridge and attending concerts. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations in the name of Barbara W. Hotchkiss to the University of South Carolina School of Music's Carolina Fund, Columbia, SC, 29208. A special thank you to the Still Hopes Community, Solutions for Living at Home, and Palmetto Hospice. Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family.