BARBOUR - June Marie (Schulz) Barbour, formally of Wellesley Hills and Billerica, died peacefully at her home in Winchester, Massachusetts, early Wednesday morning, March 15, 2017.
Born on July 19, 1932, June was raised with her sister Faye (Schulz) (Jeanette) Chichetto, who survives her, by their parents Dr. Reuben Schulz and Eleanor (Wallenbrock) Schulz in Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts. There, June met her future husband, the late Richard (Bob) Barbour. June and Bob raised their two daughters in Billerica: Rebecca (Becky) Barbour, now of Hampstead, Maryland, married to Samuel (Sam) Brainerd, and Valerie (Val) Barbour, still of Billerica.
June loved to knit, sew, play bridge, garden (she had a green thumb!), watch the birds on her birdfeeders, travel and visit with friends and neighbors, and laugh with her family, especially while playing cutthroat board and card games. June, Bob, and their daughters frequented Nantucket Island and Pigeon Cove and enjoyed going to drive-in movies together. June also loved relaxing in her floating water chair tethered to a raft in Sandown, New Hampshire, where the family built a house without the benefit of either electricity or running water. June and Bob relished their annual Cape Cod getaways with several life-long friends, which June continued to do after Bob died. June looked forward to spending Saturday mornings driving to yard sales in the area, after carefully mapping out her route, meeting friends along the way.
June worked and volunteered during her more than 50 years in Billerica. She was secretary of the First Congregational Church. She volunteered for Circle of Service and Girl Scouts while her daughters were young. She was a bit of a pioneer in the fledgling computer industry of the 60s when she was hired to supervise the brand-new computer system for the Billerica School Department, one of the first such systems in the state. She retired as Payroll Supervisor for the Billerica School Department in 1994.
June faced physical challenges after suffering a stroke in 2011. With her new limitations, June’s grandson Joe decided to look after her himself and moved his family so they could all live together. Joe took wonderful care of her for the next five years, until her death.
Through it all, June maintained her wit, sense of humor, and sharp mind. Although June could be stubborn and sometimes even grumpy, she loved being with her daughters and extended family: grandchildren Earl Powers, Joseph (Joe) Powers, and Patricia Ramos; her great-grandchildren José, Amanda, P.J., Richie, Ben, Eliviena, and Leeyana; and the very patient, loving Jacqulyn (Jackie).
June greatly enjoyed visits from her friends and going on family outings. Perhaps the most memorable family trip was in 2014, when four generations, ranging in age from 2 to 82 including June, Val and Becky, Joe, and several others in the family, took a week-long trip to Disneyworld and Universal Studios.
At June’s request, there will be no funeral. You can make donations in her memory to: Massachusetts Audubon Society; Attn: Development Office; 208 South Great Road; Lincoln, MA 01773 or online at www.MassAudubon.org.
Arrangements by Farmer & Dee Funeral Home, Tewksbury, www.FarmerAndDee.com.