Barbara A. Chabot

Barbara was born August 3, 1933, the fourth of eight children of the late James and Eleanor (Stearns) McGuirk, in Bellows Falls, Vermont. She graduated Bellows Falls Union High School. Barb was proud of her career with “the phone company,” where she was a telephone operator—in the early days, on roller skates! She lived all but the last year of her life in Walpole.

Barbara married Edward O. “Joe” Chabot, of Keene, New Hampshire, July 14, 2001, and they shared their golden years together. They enjoyed golf, Joe’s musical talents, playing cards, and spending winters in Venice, FL with her son.

She is survived by her husband, children, Jeffrey (Nina) Aldrich of Westmoreland, NH; Bradford (Arlene) Aldrich of Charlestown, NH; Karen Clark of Brandon, FL; Stuart (Cindy) Aldrich, of Newnan, GA; sister Jane Johnson of Walpole, NH; brother Paul McGuirk of North Walpole, NH; brother John (Connie) McGuirk of Walpole, NH; grandchildren Ryan (Leah) Aldrich, Jaren (Jessie) Clark and Jerni Clark, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and her faithful German Shepard, Lacey.

Barb cherished her Catholic faith and rarely missed Saturday mass. When her children were young, she would bribe her son Stuart into attending mass by allowing him drive her to service, at the tender age of twelve. She didn’t flinch if he passed cars going 25 mph… she knew the only town cop was busy directing traffic at mass. She was an incredible mother.

Barb was an avid gardener and she took great pleasure in manicuring her yard to be the pride of the Wentworth Road in Walpole. Every spring found her pruning and spreading bark mulch, by hand, for weeks.

Strong and independent, she embraced life. If you were lucky, she would treat you with her famous yodel, or possibly sing her rousing rendition of “Oh Lord, it’s Hard to be Humble.” She loved to travel, and rarely refused the opportunity to “go.” Her zest for life endured to the very end. Even during her last few months, and despite her accelerating dementia and physical ailments, she was always ready for Mexican Lunch on Wednesday. She never let pain slow her down, or keep her from doing what she wanted to do.

Services in Keene will be announced at a later date.