Barbara M. Maloney

Waltham– Mrs. Barbara M. (McCormack) Maloney of Billerica, formerly of Waltham, passed away peacefully on November 29th at the Life Care Center of Merrimack Valley after a period of declining health with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. She was 92 years old.  

Barbara was born July 27, 1930 in West Rutland, Vermont, daughter of Patrick F. McCormack and Irene A. (Routier) McCormack. In her youth she enjoyed swimming, hiking, ice-skating and basketball. She was the sixth of ten siblings. Early in life she learned the value of family  and hard work.

In 1949 she entered St. Elizabeth’s School of Nursing in Boston, becoming a Registered Nurse in 1952. It was around this time that she met her future husband Frank Maloney of Waltham. As the story goes, Frank spotted Barbara across the ballroom at Moseley's on the Charles’ dancehall. She could tell right away that there was “an electric zing,” as they spun across the floor dancing the first of many dances.

Her first nursing job was at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston until her marriage to Frank in 1953 in West Rutland, Vermont. She was married to Frank (her best buddy) for 69 years, until his passing earlier this year. They lived in Waltham until he was drafted into the Army when she returned to Vermont for a while to stay with family. Her first son, Frank Jr., was born in Rutland, Vermont. She later joined her husband and lived in off-base housing in Texas and also in France, where they lived for a year while he was stationed there. 

Returning to Waltham in 1956, she cared for her growing family in their  home in the Highlands. Barbara worked hard to keep a spotless and orderly home, tended to the needs of the children and served up delicious meals every day! When time allowed she devoted energies to local civic and religious organizations, becoming an active member of St. Camillus Guild, and St. Mary’s Mothers Club, leading  a Girl Scout troop and volunteering in the St. Joseph’s Grammar School library. In the evenings she kept in touch with her siblings and mother, writing newsy letters to various family members. She loved  working on craft projects. She always had a piece of work in progress, it could be rug hooking, putting up jars of grape jelly, crocheting, embroidering or creating shell collages. Barbara certainly treasured the rare evening out with Frank for dinner and dancing; she so celebrated any opportunity to dress up and socialize!

Time passed as it does, filled with daily chores as the children expanded their horizons toward jobs or college. Barbara felt ready to return to nursing! Upon completing a refresher course at Boston College, she returned to work part time doing private duty nursing. A few years  later  she took a full time job as a charge nurse at Maristhill Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Waltham. She found great satisfaction in her work and developed many deep friendships. Life was punctuated by yearly family vacations in Vermont, regular get-togethers with her wonderful nursing school friends, coffee with dear neighbors, short weekend getaways to York Beach and dozens of sumptuous  holiday feasts at the family home! 

When Barbara retired in 1990, she had ample time to travel to Florida for a few months each winter, spend time with  children and grandchildren, work in her lovely flower garden and visit with old friends or her brothers and sisters. She and Frank followed their dream of  returning to France once again and traveled around New England as well.  She also felt free to help various groups in the City of Waltham which had been her home for so long; namely St. Mary’s Entertainment Committee, Waltham Arts Council, Waltham Historical Society and The Waltham Museum. She and Frank could often be found leisurely walking around the Highlands or sipping coffee at the Cafe on the Common. On other days she might be found tending her irises and peonies or reading a new novel at home in the  company of one of her beloved cats; Mattie or Pearly. 

She leaves behind her sons, Frank T. Maloney, III of Lexington and John P. Maloney of Billerica; her daughters, Kathleen M. Ferri (Curtis Ferri) of Sandwich, Marybeth Maloney (Randy Wiggin) of Weathersfield, Vermont, and Anne Grenier (Dave Grenier) of Billerica; her grandchildren, Maria Allen of Sagamore Beach (Jonathan Allen), Laura Ferri of Sandwich, Gregory Preston of Weathersfield, Vermont, Lauren Maloney of Nashua, New Hampshire, and Brendan Maloney of Billerica; and her great-grandchildren, Dominic Allen and Kiera Patenaude. She is also survived by  her sisters, Agnes Pietryka (Napoleon Pietryka) of Randolph, Vermont, Maureen McCormack (Bill Paskevich) of Middletown Springs, Vermont; her sisters-in-law, Irene Manni (David Manni) of Hudson, and Joyce McCormack of Uncasville, Connecticut and many  cousins, nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her sisters; Eileen McCormack of West Rutland, Vermont, Irene Patricia McCormack of Rutland Vermont, Mary Porter of West Rutland, Vermont, Ann Davidson ( Howard Davidson) of Rutland Vermont, her brothers; Dr. Patrick McCormack (Patricia McCormack) Connecticut, Thomas McCormack of West Rutland, Vermont,  John McCormack of Uncasville, Connecticut, Edmund McCormack (Betty McCormack) of Tucson, Arizona and her treasured cousin Edie Routier of Newton. 

Family and friends will honor and remember Barbara's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Thursday, December 8th from 4 to 7 p.m. and again at 9 a.m. on Friday morning before leaving in procession to Saint Mary's Church, 133 School Street, Waltham where her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in Mount Feake Cemetery.

Those wishing to view the broadcaast (and recording) of the Mass please use this link: https://my.gather.app/remember/barbara-maloney

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Society of St Vincent De Paul, or Food For The Poor, which were two of Barbara's favorite charities.