Obituary of Barbara Roy

Barbara E. Roy, a mother of 3 and grandmother of 7 passed away after a long illness at the Lahey Clinic Medical Center on Thursday morning, August 21, 2008. She was 72 years old. Barbara was born in Medford, the daughter of Canadian immigrants, the late Harold and Mary Powers. She grew up and was educated in Medford. In 1960, as her family was beginning to grow, Barbara and her late husband Herbert, settled in Burlington to raise their children. She stayed at home to raise her two sons and daughter. In her later years, she worked as an administrative assistant for the Epsilon Company. Barbara enjoyed her life and those around her. She and her late husband Herbert were both Past Presidents of the Red Hot Squares, which was a Country Western Line Dance Group. She volunteered her time as a librarian for the Burlington Public Schools. She helped special needs children at the YMCA learn how to swim. She was active in the Burlington Council on Aging, where she participated in the exercise programs, Bingo, and volunteered in the COA’s office. She enjoyed vacationing at her summer home in Sandwich. She enjoyed gardening. She loved her children and grandchildren and cherished the time spent with them. She will be lovingly remembered by all those who knew her. Barbara was the beloved wife of the late Herbert T. Roy. She was the loving mother of Jane Wilson and her husband Donald of Tewksbury, Mark Roy and his wife Patricia of Moultonborough, NH, John Roy and his wife Susan of Wilmington. She was predeceased by her siblings; the late Helen Irwin, Harold, John, Larry, Bob, and Artie Powers. She was the devoted and proud grandmother of Marianne, Caitlin, and Kerry Wilson, Sean, Daniel, Katherine, and Charlie Roy. Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (exit 34 off Rt. 128, Woburn side) on Saturday, Aug. 23 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St., Burlington at 10 a.m. Visiting hours Friday 4-8 p.m. Interment in Pine Haven Cemetery, Burlington. Memorials in Barbara’s name may be made to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701. For directions, obituary, & online guestbook see www.sullivanfuneralhome.net or www.saintmargaretschurch.net Kerry & Caitlin Wilson – Nana &quote;Love is stronger than death even though it can't stop death from happening, but no matter how hard death tries it can't separate people from love. It can't take away our memories either. In the end, life is stronger than death.&quote; -Author Unknown We have decided to write this eulogy to celebrate the life of our Nana, one who has positively affected every life that she has touched. She is the most unselfish person we have ever met. No one would ever guess the struggles that she has been through in her life. She has overcome obstacles that would seem unbearable to many others. Even though she has spent the last year enduring a lot of pain she always put others before herself no matter what the circumstance, and she did it with a smile on her face. She had a sense of humor that could ignite a fit of laughter at any moment. She has raised three amazing children and has helped them raise 7 equally wonderful grandchildren (I don't mean to toot my own horn but we are pretty amazing). She has encouraged each and every one of us to pursue our dreams no matter how hard they seem, and to never give up trying. If we sat here and stated all of her good qualities we would be here all day. She is an inspiration to this family, and although she will be missed every day we can find peace in the fact that she will be reunited with our Papa. It is comforting to know that this family now has 2 guardian angels.