Catherine Babcock of East Hampton, a manager at Main Beach for 18 years, a school crossing guard, and a police matron starting in the 1960s, died at home on Dec. 12. She was 98.
At Main Beach, Kate Babcock, as she was called, was in charge of staffing, sales of parking permits, locker rentals, and building maintenance. Her family said she arranged for Suffolk County Civil Service lifeguard tests to be held there. She helped open Georgica Beach, was instrumental in establishing the village parking permit system, and, later, could be seen “holding court” at Albert’s Landing in Amagansett, her family said.
“Not on my beach” was an often-used phrase of hers. In 2022, her contributions were recognized with a building at Georgica Beach dedicated to her.
Catherine V. Barsdis was born in East Hampton on March 24, 1924, to Anthony Barsdis and the former Sophie Dysken. She grew up on Fredericka Lane, where she would go on to live her adult life as well, and graduated from East Hampton High School in 1942.
In June of 1946, she married J. Lyman Babcock of Sag Harbor. He died in 2011.
In addition to her career on the beach, Mrs. Babcock was a school crossing guard at the John M. Marshall Elementary School, retiring in 1987 after 25 years. She also supervised the sidelines at many East Hampton High School football games. She was a member of several bridge clubs, enjoyed charcoal drawing and painting in watercolors, and regularly vacationed in Florida. Spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren was always important to her.
She was “known by all and if you didn’t know her, you soon did,” her family wrote.
Mrs. Babcock leaves four children, J. Lyman Babcock of Tallahassee, Fla., Timothy Babcock of Orange County, N.Y., and Encie V. Peters and Amy E. Sullivan, both of East Hampton. She also leaves 10 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. Two sisters, Antoinette Barsdis and Theresa Boothe, died before her.
Mrs. Babcock was buried at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Cemetery on Cedar Street, where a graveside service took place on Dec. 15. Her family has suggested memorial donations to the East Hampton Library, at easthamptonlibrary.org/help/donate, for its large-print book collection.
