Barbara Janet (Taylor) McLeod, a woman devoted to her family and career, passed away peacefully at the Sawtelle Family Hospice House in Reading on Saturday evening, October 11, 2025. She was 95 years old.

Barbara was born in Saugus, one of three children born to Gordon and Alice Taylor. She had a wonderful childhood growing up in Saugus and was a proud graduate of Saugus High School. She met her husband, Bob McLeod, at a Halloween dance at the Wonderland Ballroom in Revere. They were married on October 4, 1952, and settled in Burlington in 1959 to raise their family.

Barbara had a remarkable career and worked until the age of 84. She began her career as a secretary at General Electric in Lynn. When she became a mother, she put her career on hold to stay home with her children. She loved being there for them—driving them to sports and activities, and welcoming their friends into her home. When her youngest child entered middle school, she returned to the workforce and spent 20 years with the Social Security Administration in the Waltham and Woburn offices.

At age 54, Barbara accepted a position with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in Burlington as a member of the Drug Abatement Division. She served as Substance Abuse Control Program Manager.  Barbara was responsible for administering and enforcing mandatory drug and alcohol testing for air traffic controllers throughout the New England Region.  Barbara also loved transferring her knowledge,  she led training classes with up to 100 participants.

While many viewed retirement as a reward, Barbara loved staying busy and took great pride in her work. She often said she dreaded the idea of retirement—and indeed, she worked for 30 years with the FAA.

In the 1960s, Barbara and Bob purchased a shell of an A-frame house in Moultonborough NH, on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee. They didn’t have much money, so they spent years finishing the construction themselves and creating a beautiful Lake House. Though it wasn’t the biggest home on the lake, it became a beloved summer gathering place for four generations of the McLeod family, spanning 54 years.

Days at the lake were filled with boating, swimming, golfing, snowmobiling, and family time. Evenings were spent playing cards, sitting by campfires, and sharing stories. Whether at the lake or at home in Burlington, Sunday afternoons at 2 p.m. were always reserved for family dinner. The time and menu rarely changed—it was a cherished family tradition that Barbara maintained to keep her loved ones close and connected.

Barbara had strong morals and values, which she passed on to her family. She was open-minded and accepting of others’ differences. She loved baking, and she treasured the time spent in the kitchen teaching her children and grandchildren her favorite recipes. She wanted her children to have opportunities she did not, such as a college education.

Barbara was a faithful, open-minded person, remained neutral, encouraging respect for others’ opinions even when they differed. She was, steady, and kind—a quiet and somewhat serious woman with a warm heart and a gentle sense of humor. Her only weakness was sweets, which she was diabetic and was supposed to avoid them.  She loved ice cream and chocolate, and though her family tried to monitor her sugar intake, she was known to hide treats around her home. She lived to 95, so perhaps Twix bars truly were a healthy treat.

Barbara was also an avid reader, especially fond of mystery and romance novels. She traveled extensively with her sister Phyllis and other family members, visiting England, Germany, Scotland, Hawaii, California, and the Virgin Islands—especially St. John, with her niece Janet, and most recently to the Berkshires, Quebec and Montreal.

Barbara lived a wonderful life filled with meaningful work, and the love of her family. She will be lovingly remembered by all who knew her.

 Barbara was the beloved wife of the late Robert C McLeod.  She was the loving mother of Wendy Lepore & her husband John Reese of Holderness, NH, Diane Borselli of Mashpee, and Robert A McLeod & his wife Christina of Greenville, S.C.  She was the sister of the late Gordon Taylor and Phyllis Eddy.  She was the proud grandmother of Jonathan Borselli & his wife Kelsey, Marissa Ottariano & her husband Rudi, Alex Lepore, and Brittany Ternullo & her husband Mike.  She was the great grandmother of Theodore “Theo” Ternullo, Nora and Paige Borselli and Lilah Ottariano and is also survived by her grand-dog Oliver as well as many nieces and nephews. 

Visiting hours will be held at the United Church of Christ Congregational of Burlington, 6 Lexington Street, Burlington on Wednesday, October 15 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., A funeral service at the church will begin at 11:30 a.m.  Services will conclude with a burial at Pine Haven Cemetery, Burlington. 

Memorials in Barbara’s name may be made to the American Diabetes Association, www.diabetes.org, P.O. Box 7023, Merrifield, VA,  22116-7023.  Arrangements by the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, Burlington, www.sullivanfuneralhome.net