Sister Barbara was born in Arlington, Mass., the daughter of Brenton B. and Henrietta J. (Gazaway) Dole. She was a graduate of Somerville High School and Emmanuel College in Boston. She also did graduate studies at Wheelock College in Boston. At one time, she completed a hairdressing program at Wilfred Academy.
Sister Barbara entered the Sisters of Notre Dame in 1962, as Sister Henrietta Jane. Sister taught second grade at the St. Ambrose School in Dorchester and first grade at the St. Francis de Sales School in Roxbury. She followed her years in education with a career that included work at Boston City Hall, the John Hancock Life Insurance Co., and investment and law firms, before retiring.
Sister Barbara was a great walker and you never knew where in Boston you might bump into her. She would be frequently be in the Fenway area where she lived prior to moving to Worcester.
She also loved lobster and would order it whenever she had the opportunity. When she was asked what she wanted for her 90th birthday party, without hesitation she said, "lobster salad sandwiches!"
Sister Barbara died at the Notre Dame Long Term Care Center in Worcester, Mass. on December 21, 2021. She was 93, and had been a Sister of Notre Dame de Namur for 59 years.
Sister Barbara's funeral will be held on Wednesday, December 29, in Notre Dame du Lac Chapel, 555 Plantation St., Worcester, with a Visitation period from 1 to 1:30 p.m. Memories will be shared starting at 1:30 p.m. with the Funeral Mass to follow at 2 p.m. Burial in Holy Cross Cemetery in Malden will be at a later date.
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