Barbara J. Stern. 76, of Hamden, wife of the late George M. Stern, passed away Dec. 7, 2011 after a brief illness. She was born in New Haven, Oct. 18, 1935 a daughter of the late Harold E. and Marion Hall Whitcher and was a lifelong Hamden resident. Barbara was employed with the Quinnipiac Polling Institute for many years prior to her retirement in 2008, and was a member of the O.E.S. Alice Chap. # 76. She loved to converse with people and was an avid practitioner of retail therapy. She is survived by her beloved family, her son and daughter in law, Richard T. and Marcie Stern of New Haven, her grandson Jonathan Stern of Wallingford, a sister, Linda Dishner of South Orleans, MA, a neice, Cheryl Bardetti of Southborough, MA and a nephew, Jeffrey G. Dishner of London, UK. Family and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Service on Thursday Dec. 15, at 11 am at BEECHER & BENNETT 2300 WHITNEY AVE, HAMDEN. Interment will follow in Beaverdale Memorial Park. Contributions in her memory may be sent to the Dunbar United Church, Memorial Fund, 419 Dunbar Hill Rd. Hamden, CT