Barbara J. (Stockwell) (Arnold) Hastings passed away peacefully in Burlington on Monday, February 2, 2026.  She was the loving wife of the late Dana M. Hastings, with whom she shared twenty-three wonderful years of marriage prior to his death in 2012.

Born in Boston, MA on October 9, 1938, Barbara was the first of four children born to the late Wesley J. and Leah M. (Reid) Stockwell.  Barbara was an adoring big sister to her little brother, Robert J. Stockwell, who was tragically lost in 1949.

She graduated from Cambridge High and Latin in 1956, where her musical talents were displayed in Glee Club and as a saxophonist in Band.  From a young age, Barbara was a talented piano player and would play regularly for the Cambridge Church of the Nazarene services.  Her faith and her love for music were two pillars of her life that she would pass on to her family.

While still in high school, she met her first husband, the late Donald Arnold.  After graduation, they married and started their family.  Barbara took her role as wife and mother seriously.  She lived to nurture her family and spent her time doting on them.  Eventually, they moved from Cambridge to Burlington, where she re-entered the work force as a bookkeeper and secretary.  She was most proud of her final position at Digital Equipment Corporation, from which she retired in the early 90s.

The family had a cottage in Wolfeboro, NH on Crescent Lake that they loved to share with family and friends.  Summer cookouts were a common occurrence, and those times were always filled with food and fun, creating cherished memories of being together.

Barbara met her second husband, Dana, at Grace Chapel in Lexington where they were active members, singing in the choir together for worship and participating in social and educational gatherings.  They were married in 1989 and enjoyed hosting family events in their home in Dover, MA.  Once retired, they began traveling extensively.  They covered much of the U.S. including Hawaii and Alaska, traipsed around Europe, went on safari in Africa, and visited the Holy Land.  Summers were spent on the water in West Falmouth with their children and grandchildren. Favorite activities were swimming, sailing, playing Scrabble, and enjoying long afternoons on the porch overlooking Snug Harbor.  Every trip Barbara took was well photographed and organized into albums which she was always happy to share.  

To her core, Barbara was a loving, faithful, and devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She will always be remembered for her classic, put-together appearance, her beautiful smile, and her unending ability to support the people she loved most.

Barbara is survived by her children and step-children:  David Arnold and his partner Toan Nguyen of Lynbrook, NY, Kenneth Arnold and his wife Lynne of Woburn, Richard Arnold of Methuen and his friend Monica Paranay, Jody Arnold of Burlington, Chris Hastings and his wife Billie Jean of Bradenton, FL, and Amy Olsen and her husband Glen of Venice, FL.  She leaves behind eight beloved grandchildren:  Matthew Arnold and his wife Eleanor, Bethany Arnold and her wife Courtney Leavitt, Kerrin Arnold, Kristen Olsen and her fiancé Jon Cherniss, Tim Olsen and partner Alison Smith, Melissa Spenner and her husband Christopher,  Cass Arnold and her wife Jessica, and Hannah Freyvogel and her husband Colin.  She also leaves five adored great-grandchildren: Graham and Oscar Arnold, Luke Spenner, and Theodore and Persephone Freyvogel. She is further survived by her sister Deborah Schelzel and her husband Curt, and her brother Stephen Stockwell and his partner Denise Madensky, as well as a dear niece, two nephews, many cousins, and friends.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend visitation on Monday, February 9, 2026, from 11:00 - 12:30 at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn Street, Burlington.  Her funeral service will follow in the Funeral Home at 12:30.  At the request of her family, burial will take place in the spring. 

In lieu of flowers, donations in Barbara’s honor may be made to either Grace Chapel of Lexington, All Care Hospice of Lynn.