In Memoriam: Barbara Heavers
It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Barbara Heavers, a woman whose devotion to conservation, agriculture, science, education, and public service has left a lasting and beautiful legacy for Charlestown and all of South County.
The Charlestown Citizens Alliance was honored to support Barbara’s election to the Charlestown Planning Commission in 2014, where she received the highest number of votes. Barbara’s Ph.D.-level education in biology, her experience managing a farm, and her deep understanding of the natural world informed the land-use discussions and decisions of the Planning Commission.
Barbara permanently protected large pieces of Charlestown’s landscape and environment. Barbara and her husband, Richard, were instrumental in defeating the nuclear power plant proposed for what is now Ninigret Park and the Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge. Much of Barbara’s farm is protected in perpetuity through a conservation easement she donated to the Charlestown Land Trust. After completing the preservation of her own farm, Barbara became an unrelenting ambassador for land conservation, making sure that any large landowner she encountered understood there were alternatives to development.
Barbara taught at the university level, was a founding member of the Meadowbrook Waldorf School, and served as a teacher and Science Department Head at Moses Brown School. In retirement, she earned a degree in Drawing and Painting from the Rhode Island School of Design and set out to capture the beauty of our local environment and community in her art.
We will honor and remember Barbara for many things, but who she was and her connection to Charlestown is best described in her own words: “We have invested our lives in a small corner of the town (literally), the Pawcatuck River on the east and the Town line on the south. It is a place free of nighttime lighting, which makes for great stargazing; it is quiet, which means I can hear the peepers at night; and it is clean, which means the air, snow, and rain are healthful. I travel the northeast corridor regularly, and I am always grateful to come back to this lovely place.”
We are grateful for our time with Barbara and for the beauty she has left us with. Our thoughts are with her family.
You can read more about Barbara at her CCA profile and in her recent obituary.
August 3, 2026 @ 12:48 am
Barbara was a wonderful member of the Charlestown Planning Commission. She was deeply concerned about preserving Charlestown’s rural beauty and loved caring for her farm. While strong, one day she told me she was sore because she had been shingling her roof, she was also exceptionally kind to others. Thoughts and prayers for Barbara’s family.
July 29, 2026 @ 5:04 pm
A beautiful tribute for a woman I have only known through her lovely, delightful, bright spark of a daughter, Kate. In this case, the apple barely left the tree. Much love to Kate and her family.
July 28, 2026 @ 8:46 pm
What a lovely tribute to a wonderful lady that I regret, I never knew. But I’ve had the privilege of knowing, working beside and loving and admiring her daughter , Kate. Kate is a force… a positive force of love, intelligence and compassion in all she does and represents. I think this sounds like her mother. We are all blessed because of these two women. Thank you, Barbara Heavers, for all you did for Rhode Island and your world and for giving us our Kate.
July 29, 2026 @ 8:14 am
I also wished I had known Barbara and visited her space while in Rhode Island. But Barbara gave us Kate who is a beautiful, intelligent force of her own. Much love to Kate and her family.
July 15, 2026 @ 9:13 pm
Rest In Peace Barbara. You are truly an amazing woman. It was wonderful to get to know you and became a good friend to many. You’ve left a lasting legacy and you will always be remembered.
July 10, 2026 @ 11:49 am
She was an extraordinary, multi talented woman. I miss her. Her farm is special. Her son carries her legacy on.