LACONIA, NH – Sarah (Nelson) Barber, 77, died peacefully at the Genesis Rehabilitation Center-Genesis Health Care in Laconia on Friday, March 11, 2016. She was born in Laconia on July 20, 1938, the daughter of Andrew W. and Doris J. (Milliken) Nelson.
Sarah, “Sally” to her family and friends, graduated Laconia High School Class of 1956. Following her 3 ½ years of attendance at Plymouth State Teachers College, she did some teaching and worked for an insurance firm in Boston. Sally’s marriage to a US Army officer, Rex Barber, took her to the Philippines and many other posts before it dissolved and she returned to her hometown, Laconia.
Sally enjoyed the written word and wrote for the army base newsletters and local newspapers. She also worked as a proofreader for the Citizen. She shared essays she wrote.
She had a witty sense of humor, a warm laugh and intelligence that dared any to challenge her in “Trivia Pursuit”. She had compassion for many, loved her family and was gracious with her praise and gifts to many within her circle.
Besides her parents, she was predeceased by a brother, Peter Nelson and a sister, Susanna (Nelson) Laurier. Surviving family members who sorely miss her are two sisters, Dorothy (Nelson) Duffy and Judith Nelson of Laconia; two brothers, Bruce Nelson and his partner, Alice Milliken of Laconia and Rick Nelson and his wife, Rosalie of White River Junction, VT and thirteen nieces and nephews.
The family is grateful for the kind care she received at Genesis - her last “home” - and the message the staff had posted on her bulletin board to guide her way through another door, “We love you, Sarah!”
No services will be held at this time. The family will have a private memorial service at Bayside Cemetery.
For those who wish, memorial donations may be made to the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church at www.goodshepherdnh.org where Sarah was an active member.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia is assisting with the arrangements. For more information and an online memorial, go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com.