Barbara M. Lovely

HOLDEN – Barbara M. (Barry) Lovely, 85, passed away unexpectedly at her home in Jefferson on Sunday, January 13, 2019. Her beloved husband of 58 years, Richard F. Lovely died in 2012. Born in Worcester, Barbara was the daughter of Michael and Mary (Massalski) Barry and lived over 75 years in Holden.

She will be lovingly remembered and missed by her daughter, Sharon F. Taubert and her husband, Mark of Jefferson; two sons, Michael R. Lovely and his wife, Joan and Richard L. Lovely and his wife, Denise all of Jefferson; her grandchildren Jeremy, Jonathan, Jessica and Timothy Hart; 8 step grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren; nephews and nieces. Besides her husband, Barbara is predeceased by her sister, Phyllis Underwood.

Barbara attended Holden schools and graduated from Worcester Girls Trade School. In her youth, she worked at the family owned Hilltop Club in Jefferson with her parents. She attended Braum’s Beauty Academy and worked briefly as a hairdresser. She was also employed as a Quality Control Inspector for 15 years at Astra Pharmaceutical. In 1954, Barbara and her husband Richard built their home in Jefferson where they raised their three children. In 1975, Barbara, Dick and their two sons opened Busy Bee Nursery in Jefferson which is still operated by their children. Barbara’s life was centered on her strong faith and family. She was a devout member of St. Mary’s Church in Jefferson where she sang in the choir and knitted prayer shawls. She loved spending time with her children, grandchildren and extended family, including her dog Patti. Barbara was hardworking, tenacious, and at times, generous to a fault. She enjoyed ballroom dancing, working with flowers, painting and traveling.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Barbara’s family from 4 to 7 pm on Friday, January 18, at Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main St., Holden. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 am on Saturday, January 19 at St. Mary’s Church, 114 Princeton St., Jefferson. Barbara will be laid to rest next to her husband at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Holden. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Mary’s Church, P.O. Box 2200 Jefferson, MA 01522, the Alzheimer’s Association, 309 Waverly Oaks Road, Waltham, MA 02452, or the charity of your choice.

To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit her tribute wall.