Barbara M. Lear
December 17, 1941 ~ October 17, 2017
Barbara M. (Carney) Lear, 75, died Tuesday morning, October 17, 2017 at the Kaplan Family Hospice House. She was the wife of the late James J. Lear.
Born in Andover on Dec. 17, 1941, she was the daughter of the late John and Margaret (Winters) Carney. She was raised and educated in Andover.
Barbara had most recently been employed in cosmetics at Walgreens in Middleton until the time of her retirement.
A Danvers resident for more than fifty years, she was a longtime member of the Polish Club, where she enjoyed the weekly meat raffle. She was also a NASCAR fan.
She leaves her children, Jeffrey Lear and his wife Roberta of Danvers, Elaine Smithwick and her husband Scott of Falmouth, ME, and Michael Lear of Danvers, her granddaughters, Samantha, Sabrina, and Chelsey, her longtime companion, Dwight Sidmore of Danvers, her siblings, Patricia Perron and her husband Kenneth, Jean Marie Cardillo and her husband William, and Margaret Hanneman and her husband Richard, all of NH, and Steve Carney and his wife Pam of Methuen, Romie Nagle, who was like a daughter to her, and her husband Steve, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her siblings, Joan Newcombe, John Carney, and Rita Smeltzer.
Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017 at 9AM in Saint Richard Church, 90 Forest St., Danvers. Burial will follow in Annunciation Cemetery, Danvers. Relatives and friends are invited. Visiting hours are Friday from 4-8PM in C.R. Lyons & Sons Funeral Directors, 28 Elm St., Danvers Square. In lieu of flowers, donations in Barbara’s memory may be made to the charity of one’s choice.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
“There are things that we don’t want to happen but have to accept, things we don’t want to know but have to learn, and people we can’t live without but have to let go.” Author Unknown
‘Little Barbara’ as we all know your mom, may have been little, but she had a big personality and a big heart. She added so much joy to all of our lives. I will miss her.
Corinne
Barb was such a spit fire and always had a smile on her face was life of the cook outs and always had a ear openfor everyone who needed some advice .she will be missed by many and was like a mom to all. Rip barbra love sherry pedra
Thank you for the many, many years of fun and happiness…. you are missed already… Happy trails to you……….. Love, Pat and Doris V
Dear family of Barbara, I am so sorry for your loss. You have my deepest heartfelt sympathy. She was a lovely lady. Once again so sorry
Pat Perron (Herbie’ wife)
What a wonderful woman! She was positive, funny and smiling no matter what challenge she was facing. I always looked forward to seeing her! I am so sorry for your loss.
She will smile down on you from Heaven.
Sue
I’m so sorry Jeffrey and Roberta. She was very loved by all who met her, and with us kids she was very sweet.
i remeber all the days we had playing in her yard, with all my cousind and second cousins, like eddie, mike, and my first cousins as well. and of course my brother.
i’ll miss her very much.
Lit a candle in memory of Barbara M. Lear
Lit a candle in memory of Barbara M. Lear
Lit a candle in memory of Barbara M. Lear
Barb you were a friend and so much more you taught me what was important. Thank you for you being a firecracker I love and will miss you more. Sorry Lear family for your loss
Such a strong, kind, and generous witty woman. She will be missed by many. RIP Barbara.
Gayle
Lit a candle in memory of Barbara M. Lear
Barbara was more than a friend to me. She was a person with a big heart. During hard times I went through Barb and Mike help me out during Christmas time several years in a time. She gave herself unselfishly and always had good advise. She was a very strong woman who was so strong and someone to look up to. She will be missed by many.
We send our heartfelt sympathy to Barbara’s family and friends. She will truly be missed. Rest in peace Barb.
Aunt Lucille & Uncle Jack Winters
Barbara had one of the biggest hearts I have ever seen. To my father she was a loyal, loving and dedicated partner whom helped him grow as a man and as a person. To me, she was a firecracker of a woman with a great sense of humor and a heart of Gold. She was, especially during my times of trouble, kind of a step mom, offering advice, usually with a religious message that I greatly appreciated and that reminded me that God is always with us. Her faith was very strong and gave her an amazing strength that was truly an example for us all. Thankyou Barbara for reminding me of how if we Believe, if we truly believe, that God will get us through anything. You were a powerhouse of a little woman. I have NO DOUBT AT ALL, that Barbara is with God now. Barbara left the world having touched peoples hearts, and that is a blessing.
An amazing,funny and loving woman! She will be dearly missed… Mikey, we all send our love, prayers and strength to you in the coming days…
Lit a candle in memory of Barbara M. Lear
I was only able to meet Barbara a couple times at Elaine’s friends and family reunions next door. Yet I knew right away she was from a tougher, but kinder, generation. I share every ones impressions. She had the strength of a Viking, but the heart of a grandmother. We will miss her at the Smithwick family and friends reunion. – Dan and Andrea Smith .
Jeff,
I am sorry to hear about your mothers passing, my condolences to you and your family.