Barbara Louise Jarvis Payson M.D., of Hanover NH and Thetford Center VT, passed away peacefully on August 17, 2026, surrounded by loving family at the Jack Byrne Center in Lebanon NH. A brilliant, confident, generous woman defined by her steady faith and service to others, Barbara was born in Chicago, IL in 1933 to Ruth and Ken Jarvis, both engineers. She grew up with a sister and two brothers in Winnetka, IL, and was the 1950 Salutatorian of New Trier High School. She earned her B.S. in 1954 at The Ohio State University, where she was a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Mortar Board, and her M.D. in 1957 at John Hopkins Medical School, where she was one of a small group of women. At Hopkins, Barbara met medical resident Henry Payson while waiting in line to sell blood for some weekend cash. Barbara and Henry were married in 1958 as she began her residency in General Medicine at Yale Medical School. They had their first child Ann in 1960, John in 1961, Sally in 1962, and Susie in 1965.

When Henry was recruited to the psychiatry department at Dartmouth Medical School, the Paysons moved to Hanover NH in 1963. Barbara managed her family while working in Internal Medicine at Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital. She participated in several different research studies at Dartmouth-Hitchcock, notably the decade-plus Paris Project. Barbara was proud of her work on this influential study of US/UK heart attacks and coronary disease, a basis of comparison studies since publication. In 1982, the Payson family moved out to their farm in Thetford Center, VT. In 1985, Barbara started practicing at Dick’s House, Dartmouth College’s health service center. Though she retired officially in 1998, Barbara continued to substitute at Dick’s House as needed for another decade.

Barbara was a member of the Church of Christ at Dartmouth College for over 60 years, serving in many capacities. She sang in the church choir up until very recently. It was from her fellowship at CCDC that she made her most dear and lasting friendships. A life-long Girl Scout, she was a troop leader and officer of the Swift Water Girl Scout Council. For over 40 years, Barbara sang alto with the Bel Canto Chamber Singers. A volunteer at the Montshire Museum for decades, Barbara was proud to be known as “the Snake Lady” who confidently introduced live pythons to daily visitors. Barbara’s love of travel brought her to all 50 states. With Henry, Barbara visited 5 of 7 continents, and she kept returning to her favorite countries. Her last excursions were African safaris in 2017 and 2019. Barbara enjoyed big fun dinners, whether joining a Rice’s Mills potluck, hosting a get-together of her pals in the Motleys group, entertaining her Hanover Bicentennial Best Costume Trophy-winning “Washington Crossing the Delaware” group, or throwing her renowned and highly anticipated New Years’ Day Brunch. Barbara loved theater! She acted, sang, produced, directed, designed sets, built props, sewed costumes, and ushered seats at plays throughout the Upper Valley. She had a special fondness for the Parish Players, where she sat on the Board.

Barbara was predeceased by her siblings, her husband Henry, and her son-in-law David Weider. She leaves behind many friends and family, including her children and their spouses Rob Ulin, John Hays, and Hannah Payson, as well as 8 grandchildren, all of whom have made her very proud. 

Barbara’s family would like to thank all the wonderful people who helped her in her later years, including her pastors Mandy Lapse-Freeberg and Andi Lloyd, her choirmaster Henry Danaher, our dear friend Ed Kerwin who safely got her places, and all the amazing caregivers at Wheelock Terrace who made her last year so full. We are grateful to the kind staff at the Byrne Center who helped her pass with grace. Memorial services will be set at a later date. Gifts in her memory can be made to the Parish Players or to the Montshire Museum.