Barbara G. Magoon passed away peacefully Saturday, January 23, 2016 at Brentwood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Danvers MA. at the age of 90.

Born in Quincy, MA, on December 20, 1925, she was the eldest daughter of the late, Albert H. and Anne (Timmons) Getchell. 

Barbara was raised in Lawrence Ma. and was a graduate of Lawrence High School Class of 1944. She fondly talked of getting her first job at the age of 14 in a local bakery and taking her younger sister and brother to the movies, at the Palace Theatre.

On December 20, 1948 she married Richard D. Magoon who was the love of her life and also from Lawrence, Ma.. They lived in Chicago, IL where she worked for Time Magazine. They also lived in Toledo, Ohio and Stamford, Ct, before finally re-settling in Lawrence, in 1966.

Barbara worked from 1978 to 2002 as a Certified Nurse’s Aide at Stevens Hall Nursing Home, in North Andover, Ma. Rarely missing a day and was fiercely proud of her job from which she retired.

As a Lawrence resident, Barbara loved her City which she was raised in and carried a strong sense of pride for the City of Lawrence. She would often recall her days seeing Frank Sinatra in Lawrence in the 1940’s where she remained one of Frank’s biggest fans and loved his music. Barbara was a loving mother and grandmother who overcame many obstacles in life to provide for family. She had an enormous love for family and relished the role of mother and father (after the premature death of her husband) and grandma, teaching everyone who met her about many of life’s valuable lessons.

She was an avid gardener and routinely would share her bounty of the season with family and neighbors. In addition, Barbara was a self-taught baker of all sorts, especially baking homemade pies for her family during the holiday season. She loved to spend her summers at Alton Bay, NH Lake Winnipesaukee and worked tirelessly in order for her family to enjoy the Lake. Barbara was a founding member of a swimmers’ group, “The Sunshine Girls” who swam every summer at the Lake for 35 years.

She also enjoyed designer sewing for herself and developed her craft of knitting sweaters, hats and mittens for her children and grandchildren. For many years, Barbara contributed knitted crafts to the Christmas fair at the First Church Congregational in Methuen where she was a member for numerous years.

She was predeceased by her husband, Richard D. Magoon, her parents, Albert and Anne Getchell and her sister, Eleanor Caton.

She is survived by her brother Albert H. Getchell, Jr, of Haverhill, Ma. daughter, Beth A. Gaff of Haverhill, Ma, sons, Richard D. Magoon, Jr and his wife, Lori of Haverhill, Ma., Harold D. Magoon, II and his wife, Carlene of Salem, NH. 12 grandchildren, Brandon, Justin, Katelyn, Chrystal, Jarrod, Tiffany, Cameron, Nathan, Lindsey, Ryan, Corina and Nathanial, and 4 great-grandchildren, Aliana, Dakota, Jordan, and Adysyn.

Family and friends are invited to calling hours on Friday January 29, 2016 from 11 to 1 pm at The Charles F. Dewhirst Funeral Home, 80 Broadway, Methuen.  Funeral services will be at 1:00 pm on Friday at the funeral home.  Burial will be in Bellevue Cemetery, Lawrence.  In lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions in her name may be made to The Alzheimer’s Association, 480 Pleasant St., Watertown, MA. 02472.  To send an online condolence, please go to www.dewhirstfuneral.com or www.facebook.com/DewhirstFuneralHome.

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