Barbara Marsh Jones Makes Unexpected Gift to Support the College She Adored

Barbara Marsh Jones

Sometimes, the most incredible gifts come from the most unexpected places. In the case of Barbara Marsh Jones ’53, that place turned out to be right across the street. A longtime resident of New London, Barbara lived for years with her husband Arthur on Squires Lane, a stone’s throw from the college she adored. When she passed away in 2015, she left a bequest to Colby-Sawyer totaling more than $1.8 million.

“I have spent my 18 years living on what was formerly an old New England farm,” wrote Barbara in her entrance application for what was then Colby Junior college. That childhood experience instilled a love of the outdoors. At an early age, Barbara began to ride horses—a passion that would become one of her defining hobbies. Decades later she and Arthur became owners of HVK Bell Flaire, a world champion Morgan horse that they kept for 23 years.

Arthur passed away in May 2015, and Barbara followed five months later. The college only learned of their incredibly generous gift when Barbara’s estate was settled. The third-largest bequest ever received by Colby-Sawyer was completely unexpected—and came from right across the street!