Barbara McElwee

Barbara McElwee, 92, died peacefully at her home in Wayland, MA on May 25, surrounded by her family and dogs. Barbara enjoyed a long life, one full of love, learning, and adventure. Born in Winchester, MA. Barbara, and her four sisters, fondly known as "the Sullivan girls," grew up in Melrose. She graduated from Melrose High School in 1941. Barbara married John G. (Jack) McElwee in 1952. They settled in Winchester, where they raised their family and enjoyed town activities. Barbara and Jack treasured their 47 years together before Jack's passing in 1997. Barbara's many hobbies included reading biographies, writing children's stories, gardening, sketching, traveling, Bible study, fashion, piano, and tennis. As a young adult, she dedicated herself to the needs of physically and emotionally challenged children, spending countless hours volunteering at the Joseph P. Kennedy Hospital. While nurturing her growing family, Barbara advocated for greater educational and social inclusion for neurologically challenged children. She studied the Laubach Literacy method, then taught English to immigrant children and adults. A quiet philanthropist, Barbara's passion for helping others never waned. In recent years, she developed a keen interest in microfinance initiatives for women. At the time of her death, she was a dedicated supporter of KIVA, Smile Train, and a sponsor of many children through World Vision. Her friends and family will fondly recall Barbara's compassion, creativity, humor, and generosity. Barbara is survived by her twin sister, Jeanette Mead of Melrose, three of her five children, and six grandchildren: Janet McElwee Grzelcyk, her husband Steve, and daughter Molly of Tewksbury, MA, Sheila McElwee, her husband Robert Hillman, and children, Sarah, Jon and Ali of Wayland, MA, and Brian McElwee, his wife Marion, and children Brooke and Jack of Newfields, N.H., and nineteen nieces and nephews. Barbara's sisters, Pauline Sullivan, Margaret Bergman and Audrey Baier, and her children Jack McElwee Jr., and Neal McElwee, predeceased her. Family and friends are invited to attend visiting hours at Sheila and Robert Hillman's home, 5 Apache Trail, Wayland, MA on Monday, June 1, from 6-8 pm. A funeral mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, June 2, at 10 am, St. Julia's Parish, Weston. Burial will follow at Wildwood Cemetery, Winchester. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to one of Barbara's favorite causes: Smile Train, World Vision or the Wounded Warrior Project.

Arrangements under the direction of Duckett Funeral Home of J. S. Waterman, Sudbury, MA.