Barbara Taggart Kent, a nearly seven-decades-long resident of Winchester, passed away on July 28, 2025, at the age of 96. Known as Tigger to her old friends and in-laws and as Bennie to her beloved grandchildren, Barbara was born in Watertown, MA, in 1929, to William and Eileen Taggart, the oldest of three children. She attended the Belmont Day School, Northfield Academy, and Skidmore College; two years after meeting John Eric Kent (Jack) while working a summer job in Craigville, MA, she married him in 1949. They spent two years in Hanover, NH, while Jack finished his degrees at Dartmouth, had their first child there, and then went on to Cincinnati, OH where they had their second child. Shortly afterwards they moved to Wenham, MA, and had three more children before moving to Barbara’s dream house in Winchester in 1959. They raised their seven kids in a neighborhood teeming with children, sent them to Wyman, Vinson-Owen, Ambrose, McCall Jr. High, Lynch Jr. High, and Winchester High schools, and created a life of constant activity and countless happy memories. Following Jack’s death in 2006, Barbara moved to the Gables. Her fellow residents and care-givers ensured that she enjoyed a warm and safe home there for nineteen years. Neighbors and friends remember Barbara as kind and gracious.
Pre-deceased by her parents and by her granddaughter, Elisa Kent Mendelsohn, Barbara leaves behind her brother, Bill Taggart (Lillian) of Boulder, CO, and sister, Anne Canfield, of Briarcliff Manor, NY; her cherished lifelong friend Eleanor “Taffy” Fernald, of Lincoln; her children: Anne Kent of Woods Hole, Susan Kent (Anne Davidson) of Frankfort, MI, Jay Kent, of Dedham, Peter Kent (Kate Jackson) of Plymouth, Peggy Kinton (Chris) of Winchester, Kate Kent of San Diego, CA, and Bill Kent of Sandpoint, ID. Barbara felt blessed by her twelve grandchildren: Erika Kent Mendelsohn, Elizabeth Mendelsohn Mann, Ben Kent, Eric Kent, Victoria Kent Lindsey, Will Rogers, Charlie Rogers, Michael Kinton, Jillian Kinton-Vieira, Joseph Otero, Jack Otero, William Otero, Victor Otero, and Paul Kent. She had lost most of her sight by the time her great grandchildren arrived but she was able to hold almost all ten of them at some point in their young lives and loved having them visit her. She took delight and pride in each and every one of her kids, grandkids, and great grandkids, and gave them unconditional love and support.
Barbara’s family wishes to acknowledge the support and kindness she received at the Gables, and to especially thank Lilia Alasa, Sabrina Bennett, Maria Simmons, Marlene Rivers,
and Kaira Goodman, who went far above and beyond the requirements of their jobs to provide solace and comfort to our mother. They showed up on days they weren’t scheduled to ensure that she had familiar people around her during difficult moments. She was deeply grateful to them for the extraordinary care they gave her, as are we.
The family will hold a celebration of life for Barbara on September 27, 2025, at 2:00 PM at the Winchester Unitarian Church, 478 Main Street. Friends and relatives are encouraged to join us.
Pre-deceased by her parents and by her granddaughter, Elisa Kent Mendelsohn, Barbara leaves behind her brother, Bill Taggart (Lillian) of Boulder, CO, and sister, Anne Canfield, of Briarcliff Manor, NY; her cherished lifelong friend Eleanor “Taffy” Fernald, of Lincoln; her children: Anne Kent of Woods Hole, Susan Kent (Anne Davidson) of Frankfort, MI, Jay Kent, of Dedham, Peter Kent (Kate Jackson) of Plymouth, Peggy Kinton (Chris) of Winchester, Kate Kent of San Diego, CA, and Bill Kent of Sandpoint, ID. Barbara felt blessed by her twelve grandchildren: Erika Kent Mendelsohn, Elizabeth Mendelsohn Mann, Ben Kent, Eric Kent, Victoria Kent Lindsey, Will Rogers, Charlie Rogers, Michael Kinton, Jillian Kinton-Vieira, Joseph Otero, Jack Otero, William Otero, Victor Otero, and Paul Kent. She had lost most of her sight by the time her great grandchildren arrived but she was able to hold almost all ten of them at some point in their young lives and loved having them visit her. She took delight and pride in each and every one of her kids, grandkids, and great grandkids, and gave them unconditional love and support.
Barbara’s family wishes to acknowledge the support and kindness she received at the Gables, and to especially thank Lilia Alasa, Sabrina Bennett, Maria Simmons, Marlene Rivers,
and Kaira Goodman, who went far above and beyond the requirements of their jobs to provide solace and comfort to our mother. They showed up on days they weren’t scheduled to ensure that she had familiar people around her during difficult moments. She was deeply grateful to them for the extraordinary care they gave her, as are we.
The family will hold a celebration of life for Barbara on September 27, 2025, at 2:00 PM at the Winchester Unitarian Church, 478 Main Street. Friends and relatives are encouraged to join us.
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