Joanne Barber, 93
Joanne Barber passed away peacefully on June 5 in Acton, surrounded by the love and support of her family, close friends, and a wonderful medical team. She joins her late husband, Dale Barber, who has waited patiently for 56 years for this reunion.
At the great age of 93 she outlived her parents, H. Gilbert Foote and Margaret (Schneider) Foote, and her brother David Foote. She also lived longer than her grandmothers, who both lived into their 90s. She was thrilled to live long enough to meet four of her great-grandchildren.
Joanne had an insatiable appetite for life and lived it to the fullest with color and gusto. Born in Elmhurst, Illinois, she grew up in the bosom of caring families in both Chicago and Oklahoma City. Seeking adventure, she moved to New York City, where she met her future husband, Dale, on a blind date. It was love at first sight, and they married six months later. Joanne blossomed as a wife and mother and, through Dale’s work as a civil engineer designing and building bridges, was introduced to world travel, which became a lifelong passion.
Joanne grew up in a family of artists, and she carried on this legacy through her own work in the professional sphere and in her vast number of personal projects. She had a great eye for design and imagery and was a great collector of beautiful things.
Joanne also had a great passion for children. She was deeply involved in raising her grandchildren and ran a very successful and well-loved day care for a number of years, for which her daughter is deeply grateful. We all have so many happy memories of this venture.
Joanne leaves behind a loving family, including three children, Lewis Barber, Edward Barber, and Lynn Duffy; son-in-law Kevin Duffy and daughters-in-law Ferial Ladak, Patty Barber, and Rebecca Coles; seven grandchildren, Ryan Duffy, Erin Dubay, Jason Barber, Ross Barber, Aisha Goldstein, Keith Duffy, and Molly Barber; four great-grandchildren, Esther Duffy, Liam Dubay, James Duffy, and Lily Dubay; her cousins Larry, Jean, and David Schneider; the spouses of her grandchildren, Sarah Julian Duffy, Jason Dubay, and Phil Goldstein; and many friends, including the dear Gail Keane and Charles Lowell.
She will be very much missed.
A quiet celebration of life will take place from 4-5 p.m., Friday, June 13, in the south dining room at Newbury Court (Deaconess Road, south entrance).
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to one of the following in her honor: Malala Fund, malala.org or The Jimmy Fund, danafarber.jimmyfund.org.
