NORTHBOROUGH: Ruth “Barbara” (Cheverie) O’Leary, age 84, a longtime former Natick resident, died in Northborough, her home for the past several years. She was the devoted wife of the late Joseph S. O’Leary for 48 years.
Born, raised and educated in Boston, she was a daughter of the late John J. and Ruth A. (Kellam) Cheverie. She and Joe married in 1953 and made their home in Natick. Barbara was employed at the Chateau deVille in its heyday, and had many happy memories of her time there.
Barbara decided to continue her education and earned an Associate’s Degree in accounting from Mass Bay Community College. She then worked in the offices of U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center, locally referred to as the Natick Labs, until her retirement.
Barbara was a loving and attentive mother and grandmother whose hobbies included cooking, sewing, quilting, reading, and gardening. An enthusiastic Boston sports fan, she will be remembered most for her kindness, humor, and compassion. Barbara was a wonderful wife, mother, and grandmother who will be greatly missed.
Predeceased by Joe in 2001, she is survived by their children, Joseph O’Leary of Natick, Sharon O’Leary of Ashland, and Robert O’Leary and his wife Kimberly of Northborough; and grandchildren Paige and Kevin O’Leary, both of Northborough.
Her funeral will be from the John Everett & Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park Street at Natick Common, on Thursday, February 11th at 9:00AM with a Mass of Christian Burial in Saint Patrick’s Church, 44 East Central Street, Natick, at 10:00AM. Burial will follow in Glenwood Cemetery, South Natick.
Visiting hours will be on Wednesday, 4 – 8PM. Donations may be made in Barbara’s memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, TN 38105.