Barbara A. (Berger) Cantor

Barbara A. (Berger) Cantor, of Swampscott, passed away peacefully at the age of 100 on April 16, 2025. She was the beloved wife of the late Herbert “Bill” Cantor, to whom she was wed for over 60 years.

Born in Haverhill, MA on December 19, 1924, Barbara was a loving daughter of the late Arthur and Mary (Shapiro) Berger. She was a 1942 graduate of Haverhill High School and received an associate’s degree from Larson College, now Quinnipiac University, where she also earned her varsity letter in Basketball.

Introduced by respective family members, Barbara and Bill married on April 4, 1954 and relocated to Swampscott, MA where they raised their three children and spent decades enjoying the beaches, tennis, golf and countless family vacations in and around New England. Barbara enjoyed skiing, tennis, golf, card games and board games.

She worked for over 20 years as a medical secretary and was a compassionate and caring presence for patients and staff.

Barbara and her husband were deeply committed to participating in and supporting the Pan-Mass Challenge for over 30 years.

Family was the focal point for Barbara. She was a devoted wife, mother, sister, aunt , grandmother, great grandmother and friend. She enjoyed hosting barbecues, cocktail parties, Passover seders and birthday celebrations. She took great pride in preparing the weekly family shabbat dinners and cherished the ceremony of lighting the sabbath candles.

Barbara and Bill were among the first members to join Temple Emanu-El in Marblehead in 1955 where they remained passionate and active members until their passing.

She is survived by her children David Cantor, Arthur Cantor (Julie Traub) and Emily Cantor: nieces Judy Trebach and Mary Lee Tierney. She will be missed by her grandchildren Darren (Heather) Cantor, Shalyn LaPage, Emma Foley, Charley Cantor, Samantha and Jocelyn Rosenberg and Simon Traub: and great grandchildren Quinn, Ruby and Forest.

She is predeceased by her sister Eleanor Trebach, brother-in-law Stanley Trebach, son Robert Cantor and Jeffrey Rosenberg.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, April 23, 2025 at 10am at Temple Emanu-El , 393 Atlantic Ave, Marblehead MA 01945, to join the virtually please go to https://www.youtube.com/@templeemanu-elmarbleheadma976. Interment to follow at Temple Emanu-El of Marblehead Memorial Park 16 Buxton Lane, Danvers, MA 01923. Shiva will be held at Temple Emanu-El 393 Atlantic Ave, Marblehead MA 01945 from 1p-3p.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Barbara’s name may be made to: Care Dimensions, 75 Sylvan Street, Suite B-102 Danvers MA 01923, www.caredimensions.org, Pan Mass Challenge, 77 4th Avenue, Needham, MA 02494, donate.pmc.org, Temple Emanu-El, Marblehead MA, 393 Atlantic Ave, Marblehead MA 01945, www.emanu-el.org