Barbara A. Chadwick

Barbara A. (Ballard) Chadwick, age 92, of Swansea, passed away Monday, January 16, 2023 in her residence. She was the wife of the late F.T. “Mickey” Chadwick former Pres/GM of Baker Tractor Corp. with whom she shared 37 years of marriage. Born in Philadelphia to the late Howland and Elsie (Rimmer) Ballard, she was a long-time area resident and artist of Swansea, Westport and Key County, Florida. A graduate of B.M.C Durfee High School, she received her Bachelors of Science in Home Economics from Framingham State University. Barbara had a successful career as a teacher at Joseph Case High School and switched to art, owning Crewel and Canvas Inc. for 10 years, she furthered her artistic studies at the Elsa William School of Embroidery, The William Holland School of Lapidary Arts and The RI School of Design. An avid traveler she enjoyed cruises and visits to the far east to study and procure materials for her projects. Barbara was a Girl’s Sea Scout and Cub Scout Leader, a present or past member of The League of Women Voters, Fall River Junior League, The Fall River Ski Club, the Embroiders Guild of America, The Westport Historical Society, The Westport Art Group and the Westport Point Methodist Church. From her homes studios she enjoyed a success making Japanese silk and metal thread embroidery, dycrilic glass, sterling silver and gold wire jewelry, she concluded by creating Sailors Valentines using fine tropical shells by commission. She is survived by her son, William Chadwick of Swansea; and grandchildren, Alan Walters of Westport and Amy Walters of Dartmouth. She was predeceased by her late daughter Jean Ellen Chadwick. A service celebrating her life will be held on Thursday, February 2, 2023 at 6:00 PM in the Waring-Sullivan Home at Birchcrest, 189 Gardners Neck Rd., Swansea. Relatives and friends are invited. Visitation will be held prior from 4:00-6:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to South Coast VNA (Hospice) at: https://www.southcoast.org/visiting-nurse-association/donate/ or Dana Farber at: https://www.dana-farber.org/. Burial Private.