Barbara Norwood

She was predeceased by her beloved husband Harry of 66 years and her parents Sophie Degesie and Elliott Bobulis of Adams,MA as well as her loving grandmother Pauline Degesie of Brockton,MA.

She is survived by her daughter Paula Herlihy and her husband David, grandson Joshua, wife Joy and great grandson Caleb. Grandson Benjamin and great granddaughters Isabelle and Mackenna. She also leaves behind a daughter Dawn, her husband Curmit, sister in law June Norwood and many nephews and nieces.

Her grandparents immigrated to Adams from Poland and Barbara learned to speak Polish and Lithuanian before English. She graduated from Taunton,MA High School in 1953. Barbara met Harry on a blind date in 1954 arranged by her best friend Betty. They were married in 1955 and set up house in Peabody,MA. In 1956 they welcomed their daughter Dawn. Then in 1960 they had a house built in Danvers, MA and welcomed their daughter Paula.

Barbara accepted the Lord Jesus as her Lord and Savior in 1960 and became very involved in Grace Community Church. She had the privilege to sing at the Billy Graham crusades choir in Boston.

She educated herself at nightschool learning keypunch in the begining of the computer age. In the 1970s she entered orders for vinyl records on keytape machines at Warner Elektra Alantic records Woburn,MA and would then transmit the orders over the phone lines to Burbank,CA. She had an amazing time with her coworkers, meeting artists, getting autographed records and traveling to Burbank,CA.

In the 1980s she became the billing office manager for a Pediatric group in Peabody,MA.

In 1992 she retired with her husband. They moved into a lovely riverside home that Harry had rebuilt for her on the Sandy River in Madrid,ME. There they spend much of their time with friends and 4 wheeling in the mountains. She loved to swim in the frigid Sandy River reminiscent of her childhood swims in the Hoosic River in Adams, MA. Harry and Barbara also enjoyed traveling with their RV and eventually bought a home on the gulf coast in Nokomis, Florida where they wintered as snowbirds. They enjoyed bicycling, going to fleamarkets, early bird specials, Dino's Pizza, walking the beaches, finding sharks teeth, attending and participating in the drum circles at sunset on Nokomis beach and she truly enjoyed the company of many dear friends.

She enjoyed crafting, crocheting and cooking. Most of all she loved her family. Great times were always had with her grandsons and she so loved their big bear hugs. Visits with her great grand-daughter and great grandson were happy times as well.

Throughout her 16 month battle with ALS she often said "I'm resting in the arms of Jesus". God is indeed my salvation; I will trust and won't be afraid. Isaiah 12:2. She loved John 3:16 and Psalm 23 also.

A family graveside celebration of her life will be held at interment of her ashes at Cedar Grove Cemetery in Peabody, MA. The date and time to be decided in the spring.