After growing up in Belmont, Massachusetts, Barbara became a “day-hop” at Boston University where she met future husband Vincent F. Conroy when he commented on her mismatched shoes. Barbara went on to earn a Master’s from BU and was hired as a fourth grade teacher in the Bedford Public School district at a time when married women were barred from the classroom. Not only did she keep teaching after her marriage, but she continued to do so after daughters Lynne and Beverly arrived. She was a world traveler and collected artwork from locations as far-flung as China and Turkey. When home, she loved to dress up and acquired a closet full of sparkly gowns that enchanted her grandchildren, Melanie, Tara, Margaret and Kelly Violet.
After she tragically lost Vinny, her second marriage expanded her family to include step-children Jeff Cameron, Janus Connelly, and son-in-law Joe Connelly Later her family grew again to add Mandy, Jill, Frankie and Erik. Barbara loved dogs, especially wire fox terriers, although she developed a reluctant soft spot for French bulldogs later in life. She was always an excellent hostess, and at 97, in the final year of her life, presided over an epic dinner party for her great-granddaughter Coco, as well as six other teenagers.
Her daughter Beverly Mojave lived with her in her final years, with daughter Lynne Conroy and son-in-law Robert Peretti nearby, allowing her to remain at home until the final month of her life.
Her spirit will be enjoying a dry vodka martini, up, with a twist, at precisely five o’clock this evening.
Her funeral service will be held at the Doane, Beal, & Ames Funeral Home, 160 West Main St., Hyannis, on Saturday, April 18, 2026 at 11:00 AM. A reception will follow the service. She will be laid to rest next to her beloved Vinny at Mt. Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge at a later date.
