Barbara S. Larrabee

Barbara Shirley Larrabee, 84, passed away Monday, November 8, 2010 following a lengthy illness. She was the wife of the late Russell Larrabee with whom she shared 48 years of marriage. Born in Glastonbury, Connecticut, she was the daughter of Polish immigrant parents, Martin and Stella Germaine, and was the youngest of 11 children. She graduated from Glastonbury High School in 1944. During World War II, she was awarded a government scholarship to attend the Middlesex Hospital School of Nursing where she earned her nursing degree in 1947. She began her career as a surgical nurse at Hartford Hospital. One of her fondest memories was of an elevator ride with Katharine Hepburn, whose father was a surgeon at the hospital. In October of 1960 she married Russell, who had been previously widowed, and became a mother to his 3 young sons. They would later have 2 daughters to complete their family. She juggled all of her children's activities with enthusiasm. These activities included Little League games, dance recitals and high school football games. She was a nurse at Salem Hospital for many years until her retirement in 1991. She was a resident of Danvers for more than 50 years, and she continued to use her nursing skills to care for neighbors in need. She and Russ also enjoyed more than 20 years as a snowbirds, spending many winters in Florida. Barbara was an avid sports fan and especially loved supporting the U Conn Huskies men's and women's basketball teams. She loved hosting family cookouts and holiday parties. She was an excellent cook, and was most known for her cheesy potatoes, Sunday Dinners, Christmas cookies and birthday cakes. Her simple pleasures included solitaire, a good cup of coffee and watching game shows, especially Jeopardy. She is survived by her 5 children and their families, Robert and Karen Larrabee of Beverly, Gary Larrabee and his companion Anne Baker of Wenham, Mark and Betty Larrabee of New London, NH, Tracy and Dana Berenson of Topsfield and Leslie and Doug Ferguson of Ayer. She had nine grandchildren, Amanda Stoddard, Benjamin Larrabee, Michael Larrabee, Mary Larrabee, Kevin Larrabee, Eric Larrabee, Trent Larrabee, Anna Berenson and Margaret Berenson. She also leaves 3 great-grandchildren Regan Stoddard, Samantha Stoddard and Morrison Larrabee. Her Funeral service will be Monday, November 15, 2010 at 10AM in Trinity Episcopal Church, River Road, Topsfield. Burial will follow in Walnut Grove Cemetery, Danvers. Relatives and friends are invited. Visiting hours are Sunday from 3-6PM in C.R. Lyons & Sons, Funeral Directors, 28 Elm St., Danvers Square. Contributions can be made in her memory to Hospice of the North Shore, 75 Sylvan St., Danvers, MA 01923 or to the Danvers People to People Food Pantry, PO Box 2076, Danvers, MA 01923.