WEBSTER – Barbara M. Shead, 87, died Saturday, October 17, 2026 in Harrington Memorial Hospital in Southbridge after a brief illness. Her husband of 61 years, Robert F. “Bob” Shead died in 2023.
She leaves two children, Jeffrey R. Shead and his partner Nancy Byrnes of Putnam, CT and Karen M. Morin and her husband David of Thompson, CT; her grandchildren, Megan Zablocki and her husband Ryan of Pomfret, CT, Jeffrey Shead of Worcester, Chelsea Albee and her husband Sean of Putnam, CT, Samantha Morin of Eastford, CT and Ashley LaPointe and her husband Ben of Millbury; her great-grandchildren, Haley, Cody and Madelyn Zablocki, and Lucas Albee; her sister, Sylvia Annese of Webster; she will be greatly missed by her close friend Norma; several nieces and nephews and several grand-nieces and grand-nephews.
She was born on February 18, 1939 in Webster, a daughter of Alexander J. and Veronica J. (Sterczala) Gracyalny and graduated from Bartlett High School. She was a life-long resident of Webster.
Mrs. Shead first worked at Thrifty’s Market in Webster, she was then employed as a bookkeeper at American Optical Company in Southbridge where she met her husband, Bob. She later worked at Deary Bros, Chris Chevrolet and Nichols College, all of Dudley, before working at the Xtra Mart corporate offices in Quinebaug, CT and retiring from there at age 65.
She was a member of Saint Joseph Basilica. She spent most of her spare time knitting, quilting, sewing. She took great pride in her work and loved giving completed projects away to all who knew her. She baked the best cookies and enjoyed all things Martha Stewart.
All services will be private and at the convenience of the family. Donations in her memory may be made to Saint Joseph Basilica, 53 Whitcomb Street, Webster, MA 01570. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Sitkowski, Malboeuf & Hickey Funeral Home, 340 School Street.