Florence A. (Mower) Barbato, age 80, of Saugus, formerly of Everett, passed away suddenly on October 26 at the Lahey Clinic in Burlington. She was the wife of the late Michael E. Barbato.
Born in Keene, NH, Florence was the daughter of the late Archie and Mabelle A. (Wyatt) Barbato.
Her children recall that she was a devoted mother, who, after years of being out the workforce while raising them, worked nights in a kitchen while taking classes during the day, at a time when single women in the workforce were rare. She eventually got a position at a local bank, worked overtime for many years and eventually rose to a management level position. She retired in 2010.
They also remember her for her values, as her main concerns were the love of family and friends, and raising a healthy, happy and kind family. She instilled her values and spirituality in her children, often reminding them to keep focused, avoid trouble, try to be self-sufficient and not to focus too much on materialism.
In her spare time, she was a skilled seamstress and enjoyed quilting. She also enjoyed traveling and spending time with her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and many dear friends.
Mrs. Barbato is survived by her children; Michael E. Barbato Jr. and his wife Cynthia of Stuart, FL, Robert A. Barbato and his wife Xandra of Westerly, RI, Nancy D. Clancy and her husband Robert of Whitman, Karen D. Young and her husband Dana of Middleton and David A. Barbato and his wife Cheryl of N. Andover. She was the companion of Tony Vaccaro, the dear sister of JoAnn Padget of Las Vegas, NV, Mary Jean Ells of Everett and the late Audrey Stratton, and is further survived by 10 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Her funeral will be held from the AJ Spadafora Funeral Home, 865 Main St., Malden on Friday Oct. 30 @ 9AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in Immaculate Conception Church, 487 Broadway Everett at 10AM. Relatives and friends respectfully invited. Visiting hours will be held in the funeral home on Thurs. from 4-8PM. Interment Cedar Grove Cemetery, Dorchester. In lieu of flowers donations in her memory may be made to the Make A Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island, One Bulfinch Place, Suite 201, Boston, MA 02114-2931.