Barbara Holdridge obit

Barbara Holdridge

 July 26, 1929 - June 9, 2025 (95 years old)

 She was not on the list.

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the death of Barbara Holdridge of Baltimore, Maryland, who passed away on June 9, 2025, at the age of 95, leaving to mourn family and friends. You can send your sympathy in the guestbook provided and share it with the family.

Together with her business partner, Marianne (Roney) Mantell, she co-founded Caedmon Records in 1952. As an entirely female-owned company Caedmon stressed gender equality and focused on many women's writings. She was a pioneer in the genre of spoken word literary recordings, and is considered to have laid the foundation for modern audio books.

As Barbara departs from our midst, her spirit ascends to join the cosmic dance of stars, a shimmering constellation of memories that will forever grace the night sky of the hearts of those who loved Barbara. Though Barbara may no longer walk beside us, her legacy lives on — a testament to the enduring power of love to transcend the boundaries of time and space.

She was predeceased by: her husband Lawrence Barrett Holdridge; her sister Gloria Cohen; and her parents, Howard Cohen and Bertha Cohen. She is survived by: her daughters, Diana Holdridge and Eleanor Holdridge; and her granddaughters, Megan Archibeque and Eliza Archibeque.

Contributions in her memory may be sent to the American Horticultural Society, online at ahsgardening.org.

Holdridge, American recording and book consultant, editor. Named to Hunter College Hall of Fame, 1972, National Women's Hall of Fame, 2001; recipient American Shakespeare Festival award, 1962, New York City certified of appreciation, 1972, Lifetime Achievement award, Audio Publications Association, 2001, Peabody Institutional award, 1991, Preservation Project award, Baltimore County History Trust, 2007.

Background

Holdridge, Barbara was born on July 26, 1929 in New York City. Daughter of Herbert L. and Bertha (Gold) Cohen.

Education

Bachelor of Arts, Hunter College, 1950.

Career

Assistant editor, Liveright Public Corporation, New York City, 1950-1952; co-founder, Caedmon Records, Inc., New York City, 1952; partner, Caedmon Records, Inc., 1952-1960; president, Caedmon Records, Inc., 1960-1962; treasurer, Caedmon Records, Inc., 1962-1970; president, Caedmon Records, Inc., 1970-1975; founder, Stemmer House Publications Inc., Owings Mills, Maryland., 1975; president, Stemmer House Publications Inc., since 1975. Co-founder, vice president Shakespeare Recording Southern, Inc., New York City, 1960-1970, TheatreRec. Society, Inc., New York City, 1964-1970.

Founder BEDE Prodns., 1984. Co-founder History Recording Society, Inc., New York City, 1964, president, 1964-1970. Lecturer onAmmi Phillips, 1959.

Lecturer on book public, since 1992. Adjunct Professor writing media Loyola College, Baltimore, 1987-1991.

Achievements

Barbara Holdridge has been listed as a noteworthy recording and book consultant, editor by Marquis Who's Who.