Barbara A. Slocum

Barbara was born on June 17th, 1937, the daughter of Robert M. and Bertha Maude (Rood) Clark. She grew up in Sherborn, where she was active with her mother in the local Women’s Club and other social and volunteer organizations, and enjoyed playing cards with the older women. Barbara graduated from Framingham High School in 1955 and attended secretarial school, graduating with a certificate degree. She worked at the Framingham Savings Bank for several years, and then at Fenwal in Ashland before meeting and marrying Donald A. Slocum in 1961. She left Fenwal in 1963 to start their family, and was a stay-at-home mom for many years. During that time she was active at the Ashland Federated Church, teaching Sunday School and participating in many of the church events, including her role as “Pocket Lady” during the annual church fair. She was a Campfire leader from 1971 to 1973 for Bluebirds and Campfire girls in Ashland. During the 1970s she sold Avon, serving 3 large territories. She returned to work full time at Fenwal in 1979 at their explosion suppression facility in Ashland as an executive secretary to the sales department, moved with them to their Marlborough location, and worked there until her retirement in 2001. She spent many years caring for Donald, who suffered from early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, which also impacted her own health. In 2015, Barbara moved to Christopher Heights Assisted Living in Webster. During her 9+ years as a resident there she was an active part of the elder community, participating in the resident meetings and movie planning and helping with church services. This past fall Barbara became a resident at Lanessa Extended Care, also in Webster, after several major health issues.

Barbara will always be remembered for her style and grace. She loved looking well put together with impeccable outfits and exquisite matching jewelry, and shopping for more wearables was a huge delight for her. She was an avid cribbage player and an excellent crafter who excelled at knitting, crocheting and sewing. She dabbled in oil painting in the 60s and jewelry making in the 80s and 90s, and was always interested in cake decorating, floral arranging, and holiday decorations. Barbara loved to travel, and was fortunate to have visited England, Scotland, Wales, Canada, the Pacific Northwest, Virginia, Florida, Colorado and Texas, as well as many places here in New England. She had a strong faith, and if you asked her what religion she was, she would mischievously tell you that she “had one foot in each church,” which confounded many, especially priests. What she meant was that she was a devout protestant, but enjoyed attending Catholic Mass with her children and grandchildren, and would gratefully accept prayers and blessings from everyone. She was very much a lady, and even had a secret desire to drive an 18-wheel semi truck! She had a ready smile for everyone, was loved by many, and will be greatly missed by all who were blessed to know her.

Barbara was predeceased by her husband Donald in 2016 after 55 years of marriage. She is survived by their two daughters, Cynthia Murphy and her husband Bernard of Douglas, and Heidi Roskuski and her husband Barry of Chicopee; 6 grandchildren – Jennifer, Megan (and her partner Steve Holtsnider) and Nicole (and her partner Eric Bernard) Murphy, and Andrew, Daniel and Michael Roskuski; and two nephews and a niece in Texas (Phillip and Stephen Lang, and Deborah (Lang) Smith).

The family would like to express their deep gratitude to the staff at Christopher Heights, Lanessa, and New England Hospice. The caring and compassion shown by these amazing people is so very much appreciated.

There are no calling hours; burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations should be sent to the American Heart Association or to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute.