Barbara Hotchkiss Posener Of Southampton Dies November 25

Barbara Hotchkiss Posener of Southampton, a former resident of Amagansett and New York City, died on November 25. She would have been 96 in January.

Ms. Posener, widow of the late Albert E. Posener, was born in New Haven, Connecticut, the daughter of Frances and William Hotchkiss. She graduated from the Meredith School of New Hampshire during the Depression and went on to attend Columbia University in Manhattan.

Ms. Posener was the first “copy girl” in the NBC newsroom in Manhattan. She became a news writer for NBC (WRC) in Washington, D.C., and New York City. She wrote many primetime radio and television shows produced by NBC, CBS and ABC. Her credits also include specials for the United Nations Festivals presented in Rockefeller Plaza and a radio special for Eddie Cantor. Ms. Posener also wrote for the TV show “Glamour Manor” starring Cliff Arquette, and “The Big Payoff” and “Strike It Rich” starring Warren Hull.

One of the original founders of the Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons, she named the organization and was its first president. She was a longtime member of the Amagansett Library Book Committee. After having written for television and radio all those years, she decided to try production at LTV, and was behind the camera for years for many local shows. For many years she also volunteered at Meals on Wheels, and eventually served on its board. She also narrated and produced a series of inspirational readings called “Imprints” for WLNG in Sag Harbor.

The Posener family owned a summer home in Amagansett for years to which Ms. Posener moved with her daughter, from New York City, in 1973 after the death of Mr. Posener.

Survivors said Ms. Posener’s deep love of animals was well known by all who knew her. She always said she loved anything with four legs or feathers. Caring for homeless animals was a priority in her life.

Predeceased by three brothers, Francis, William and Pratt Hotchkiss, she is survived by a daughter, J. France Posener, a granddaughter, Skylar Leigh, and son-in law, Mark Borucke, all of Southampton.

Interment will be private at the family plot in Orange, Connecticut. Memorial donations may be made to the Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons, www.arf.org.