Barbara was born August 3, 1933, the third of seven children of the late James and Eleanor (Stearns) McGuirk, in Bellows Falls, Vermont. She graduated Bellows Falls Union High School. Barb was proud of her career with “the phone company,” where she was a telephone operator—in the early days, on roller skates! She lived all but the last year of her life in Walpole.
Barbara married Edward O. “Joe” Chabot, of Keene, New Hampshire, July 14, 2001, and they shared their golden years together. They enjoyed golf, Joe’s musical talents, playing cards, and spending winters in Venice, FL with her son Stuart.
She is survived by her husband, children, Jeffrey (Ninah) Aldrich of Westmoreland, NH; Bradford (Arlene) Aldrich of Charlestown, NH; Karen Clark of Brandon, FL; Stuart (Cindy) Aldrich, of Newnan, GA; sister Jane Johnson of Walpole, NH; brother Paul McGuirk of North Walpole, NH; brother John (Connie) McGuirk of Walpole, NH; grandchildren Ryan (Leah) Aldrich, Jaren Clark and Jerni Clark, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and her faithful German Shepard, Lacey.
Barb cherished her Catholic faith and rarely missed Saturday mass. When her children were young, she would bribe her son Stuart into attending mass by allowing him drive her to service, at the tender age of twelve. She didn’t flinch if he passed cars going 25 mph… she knew the only town cop was busy directing traffic at mass.
Barb was an avid gardener and she took great pleasure in manicuring her yard to be the pride of the Wentworth Road in Walpole. Every spring found her pruning and spreading bark mulch, by hand, for weeks.
Strong and independent, she embraced life. If you were lucky, she would treat you with her famous yodel, or possibly sing her rousing rendition of “Oh Lord, it’s Hard to be Humble.” She loved to travel, and rarely refused the opportunity to “go.” Her zest for life endured to the very end. Even during her last few months, and despite her accelerating dementia and physical ailments, she was always ready for Mexican Lunch on Wednesday. She never let pain slow her down, or keep her from doing what she wanted to do.
The family wishes to thank the incredible staff of Watercrest Senior Living in Newnan, GA, and Brightmoor Hospice in Griffin, GA, for their kindness and loving care.
Services in Keene will be announced at a later date. She is in the care of Carmichael-Hemperley Funeral Home and Crematory, Peachtree City, Georgia, and DiLuzio Foley And Fletcher Funeral Homes, Keene, New Hampshire.
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