Barbara J. Nash

Barbara J. (Winters) Nash, of Watertown, died at home on Thursday, April 20, 2023 surrounded by family. She was 85.

Born in Medford on March 4, 1938, she was the daughter of the late Henry E. and Dorothy I. (Montgomery) Winters. She was raised in Somerville and attended Somerville High School. Following her graduation she earned a certificate from Burdett College and worked at John Hancock as a secretary before staying at home full time when her children were young.

She married the love of her life, Allen Nash, on July 29, 1962 in Watertown and the pair made Watertown their home.

Barbara cherished spending time with family, friends, and the community at large. She was always on the go because “life is for living.” She was an active volunteer and giving member of the community. Some of the many things she enjoyed were memberships in bowling leagues, ceramic lessons, holiday celebrations and luncheons with friends. She was an active member of the Community Church of Watertown, Order of the Eastern Star and the International Order of Rainbow for Girls. As a volunteer she led brownie and girl scout troops, participated in Relay for Life, collected donations for local food pantries and homeless shelters, created gift baskets as raffle items for several community organizations and spent much time at Saint Jude School prior to its closure. She loved being called Nana Nash, spending time as a “hot lunch” mother, running the hot cocoa table at Breakfast with Santa, and selling tickets at Barnyard Bingo.

She loved being with her daughters and grandchildren. She was proud of her family, and always had an update for anyone willing to lend an ear. She spent a lifetime creating and nurturing friendships, many who she loved as family. Above all else she adored spending time with her husband, Allen, to whom she referred as her gift from God.

She is survived by her husband, Allen D. Nash; her daughters, Kelli O’Brien (Tony) of Waltham and Kristen Somerville (Peter) of Melbourne, Australia; her grandchildren, Meredith Moseley (Brandon), Connor and Benjamin O’Brien; her cherished friends, Marilyn and Donald Gedick, Eleanor and Al Fanara and many other dear friends, nieces and nephews.

Barbara was also the sister of Robert Winters, William Elwell, Donna Whittemore-Farris, Gary McCollum and the late Joan Gogos, Beverly Norfolk and Ronald Elwell.

She is reunited in Heaven with her dear baby girl Laura and baby boy Allen, Jr.

Family and friends will honor and remember Barbara’s life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street, Waltham, on Sunday, April 23rd from 2 to 5 p.m. and again on Monday morning at 9:30 a.m. where her funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Burial will follow Ridgelawn Cemetery, Watertown.

Memorial donations may be made to the Henry F. O’Brien, Jr. Memorial Scholarship, Waltham High School, 617 Lexington Street, Waltham, Massachusetts, 02452 Attn: Scholarships; or to a charity of your choice.