Bartlett

Garda Dean Bartlett, 96, of Kinsale slipped peacefully away from those who loved her on Friday, April 10, 2026. She has left the world a better place and those who knew her better people. Garda Dean was born in Enid, Oklahoma in the throes of the Great Depression to Oral Glen Snyder and Mildred May Skinner Snyder. She was the widow of Thomas Morgan Bartlett, Jr. who preceded her in death in 2013 after 64 years of marriage. She worked for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, where she was a court docket transcriptionist. Later, she was the Assistant to the Dean of Students at the University of Connecticut at Stamford, a position she loved and retired from.

Garda Dean came by her grace in the face of challenge naturally but was certainly encouraged by the spirit of her mother. Mildred, widowed when Garda Dean was eleven, never wavered in her determination for her family’s success. She took a job at the local hospital and kept her daughters fed, clothed and focused on their education. Still reeling from the Depression, the small city of Enid saw many desperate persons pass through riding the railroad, seeking work and a place to lay their head. Despite her own struggles, Mildred always kept soup and a spot on the porch for those in need, instilling in Garda Dean what would become her signature trait: the rare ability to always see the human being and not the circumstance. Garda Dean was also a hard worker. She took a job at a dress shop in high school and saved her money.

At Phillips University in Enid, Garda Dean joined a sorority. Tasked with building some flower boxes for a sorority project she asked a handsome young teaching assistant to help her. He did. Tom and Garda Dean built the flower boxes and then went on to build a life together. They often followed Tom’s career, which took them from Enid to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Burlingame, California; Cali, Columbia; Wellesley and Needham, MA; Stamford, CT; multiple lengthy stays in Europe and in the Dominican Republic for Tom’s business; and eventually to their peaceful retirement; first in Tom’s hometown of Bath, Maine and then to their forever home in Kinsale, Virginia. The little girl from Enid, Oklahoma became a citizen of the world. In California, Garda Dean was a typist for the local newspaper, the McClatchy/ Sacramento Bee, before landing her job with the ATF. There, she was known for her meticulous work. The agents even took her out of the office once and onto a field assignment. Needless to say, Tom was not a fan of Garda Dean doing stakeouts. It was also in California that Garda Dean’s fondest dream came true. She gave birth to her daughter Kathleen. When the family left for New England, Garda Dean threw herself into civic life – she was on the PTA at Kathleen’s school, served as PTA president, was a member of the Garden Club of Massachusetts, served as deacon at their Presbyterian church, was a church choir member, and helped found Stamford’s first hospice program. Garda Dean was a hospital volunteer, as well as a Brownie and Girl Scout leader. In Maine she joined the Popham Circle of Maine with the Congregational Church, which raised money for many local causes. Garda Dean was generous with both her time and her talent.

Garda Dean put her family above all else. Despite being an active community member everywhere she lived, she always put Tom and Kathleen first, magically creating a warm and cozy home for them in every place they lived. As their family grew with Kathleen’s marriage to Michael, Garda Dean’s boundless love surrounded her son-in-law, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Becoming a grandmother brought her tremendous joy. She loved being with her grandchildren and remained interested in everything they did at every stage in their lives. They were never far from her heart at any time. She loved gardening, decorating, watching the birds, cooking, and music, especially big band music. She loved animals and nature. Her own pets were a source of joy and many dogs and cats over the years were cherished and spoiled by Garda Dean. She was a devout Christian and didn’t only talk in faith. She walked in faith. She was a member of the Presbyterian church until she moved to Kinsale and began attending Yeocomico Episcopal Church where she became a member in 2014. She deeply loved her church family and found a real spiritual home at Yeocomico. Her love of people was something that drew others to her. Garda Dean knew how to listen, took care to hear and remember people’s stories, family members and special occasions. She was known at Yeocomico for remembering everyone’s special dates, like birthdays and graduations with a card and a special note. Her gentleness was her strength.

Left with the hardest goodbye imaginable are Garda Dean’s loving daughter and best friend, Kathleen Quick; her beloved son-inlaw Michael; her grandchildren: Thomas N. Quick (Krystal), Michael E. Quick, and Octavia L. Quick Porter (David); her greatgrandchildren: Elijah S.P. Quick, Carson Quick (Ava), Krystalin Hockey, Tanner Quick, Jackson Quick, Trevor M. Quick (Melody) and Tyler M. Quick (Siera); and her great-great grandchildren: Reagan, Wyatt, Benjamin, and Caroline Rose. She is also survived by numerous great-nieces and nephews.

Garda Dean was welcomed into Heaven by her parents, Oral and Mildred; her husband Tom; her granddaughter- in-law, Shannon; her sister, Donna Lee Cartwright; her mother-in-law Hazel L. Barlett; her brother-in-law Walter Cartwright; her niece, Deana Diane Franklin and her nephew Glenn Robert Cartwright.

A memorial service for Garda Dean was held at her beloved Yeocomico Episcopal Church on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at 1 p.m. The Reverend Diane Carroll officiated. Following her service, Garda Dean was laid to rest beside Tom in the Yeocomico Church Cemetery. Her family hosted a reception in Ameslee Hall following the inurnment.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that you honor Garda Dean’s love of and care for animals who may need a home by making a donation in her loving memory to the Westmoreland County Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 1000, Montross, VA 22520, or by making room in your heart and home for a pet that needs you. You may also consider making a donation in Garda Dean’s memory to Yeocomico Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 249, Kinsale, VA 22488 or to Riverside Hospice.