Barbara E. Lesser Bakke

Barbara was born and raised in Framingham, MA, the dear daughter of Claire (Abramowitz) Lesser and the late Gordon E. Lesser.

She was the devoted mother of Adam and his wife Hollis (Bowen), Michael and his wife Jennifer, and Eric and his wife Natasha. Loving sister of Rhonda Dunbar and her husband Edward, and Andrea Lesser-Gonzalez and her wife Meredith. Cherished grandmother of Logan, Conor, Owen, Liam, Devorah, and Havah.

Barbara was very active in the Theater Program in High School and was featured in “Who’s who in High School Dramatics.” In college, she continued participating in theater while pursuing a teaching degree in Communications Education. She graduated from The University of Massachusetts in Amherst, MA with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Education. She went on to teach in her home town at Framingham North High School and then Keefe Vocational School.

Barbara married Brian Bakke, also of Framingham and together they had twins, Adam and Michael, and then Eric. After having her twins, Barbara became an active member of West Suburban Mothers of Twins, and within a few years was elected President of this Club.

Barbara was a member of Temple Beth El in Sudbury, and when some of the families decided that they wanted to be an “off shoot” from this Temple, she helped to organize and lead along with 7 other families the beginnings of Temple B’Nai Torah of Sudbury. Starting out a small chavarot in people’s homes, then renting space in an old school building, and now its own beautiful building and fully established Reconstructionist Congregation.

Throughout her life, Barbara was a “doer” (as described by her best friend, Christine), she had strength of character, practiced acts of “maasim tovim” (kindness and blessings), and did what she could to make a difference in the world and make the world a better place (tikkun olam). May her memory be a blessing.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, July 17th at 12 Noon at Stanetsky Memorial Chapels, 475 Washington Street, Canton. Interment to follow at Dorchester Hebrew Helping Hand Cemetery in Everett.

Memorial observance will be held at the home of Claire Lesser and Andrea and Meredith Gonzalez on Sunday 11-4 PM and 5:30-7:30 PM and on Monday and Tuesday 3-7:30 PM.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 101A First Avenue, Waltham, MA 02451 or www.nationalmssociety.org.