Barbara A. Jones Higbee

Troy - Barbara Jones Higbee, 75, of Fifth Avenue, Troy, died June 10, 2022. She was suddenly and tragically overcome with sepsis despite the best efforts of St. Peter’s Emergency Department and Samaritan Hospital ICU. Born in Troy, she was the daughter of the late Helen Himes Jones and Paul R. Jones, Jr. She was a graduate of Emma Willard School and earned a bachelor’s degree from University of Rochester and a Master’s from University of Colorado. Barb is survived by her sister, Nancy E. Jones, Esq. of Grafton, and two brothers, Paul R. Jones “Buzz” (Maureen Madden, Esq.) and Peter B. Jones, Esq. (Karen Jackuback) of Brunswick. Also, nieces and nephews, Matthew M. Jones (Merretta) of Arlington, VA, Abigail M. Jones (Andrew VanNice) of Eugene, OR, Madalyn A. Jones of Schenectady, and Dylan A. Jones of Clifton Park and a great nephew, Theo.

In the 60’s and 70’s Barb was a Vista Volunteer on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and a congressional aide for Ned Pattison where she honed her skills for public service. She went on to work for the City of Troy as a City Planner and Director of Economic Development. Barb also worked as Executive Director of TRIP and VP of Development at Mercer Companies. She was involved in housing and economic development locally and across the state for over 50 years.

Barb was a longtime realtor in Troy and the Capital Region including residential properties as well as consulting in real estate development and securing financing for large apartment projects. Most recently she was associated with RE/MAX Platinum in North Greenbush. She was a member of the Troy Planning Commission at the time of her death and had been the governor’s appointee to the Troy Supervisory Board, the Judicial Election Qualification Committee, Third Judicial District, and the statewide advisory board for the NYS Economic Development Program. Barb also served on many local boards of directors or trustees including TRIP, Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, Howard and Bush Foundation, Samaritan Hospital, Northeast Health, Emma Willard School, The Sage Colleges and the Troy Public Library. She was on many committees at the Arc of Rensselaer County.

Barb was an avid and superb skier and taught skiing at Jiminy Peak. She was a fifty-year practitioner of Transcendental Meditation. Barb loved spending time at the family camp at Forest Lake in Grafton. She treasured being able to walk the streets of Troy and stopping to socialize with her many friends.

Friends may call at Bryce Funeral Home, Inc., 276 Pawling Avenue, Troy on Wednesday, June 15, 2022 from 4-7 p.m. 

Kindly omit flowers. If you wish, please make contributions in memory of Barb to an organization that honors her commitment to her community. 

Troy - The Family of Barbara Jones Higbee would like to invite friends and neighbors to attend a memorial celebration in Barb's honor on Saturday, July 9th at 11:00 am. The gathering will take place at the Bush Memorial (Goldberg) Auditorium on the Campus of Russell Sage College, 65 1st St, Troy, NY.  Participants are invited to stay for the reception which follows.   

Arrangements by Bryce Funeral Home, Inc. 276 Pawling Avenue Troy, NY 12180  518 272 7281

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