Nancy Ann (McLaughlin) Barton, 86, of Dartmouth passed away Saturday, June 11, 2022 at Hathaway Manor. She was the wife of the late Russell Barton.
She was born in Attleboro in 1936, daughter of the late Francis and Alyce (West) McLaughlin, and grew up in New Bedford.
Nancy attended Sacred Heart Academy and New Bedford High School, graduating early in just 2 years. She was also a graduate of St. Luke's Hospital School of Nursing and earned her bachelor's degree at Peter Bent Brigham School of Nursing. She worked as a open heart surgical nurse at Mass General. She was also selected to participate in the teaching programs at MIT and Mass General Hospital.
In 1959 Nancy married Russell Barton and relocated to Stamford, CT. While living in CT, Nancy worked in many facets of nursing including alcohol treatment homes, correctional facilities, and at Proctor & Gamble, all while bringing up 5 children. In 1970 Nancy and her family moved to Dartmouth, MA where she started a Private Duty Nurses Registry that provided personal care to many local families. She was very proud of her work in setting up the New Bedford Alcohol Rehabilitation Facility.
Nancy had a passion for animals from her nightly visits of skunks, opossums and woodchucks. She also loved rescuing many cats over the years and is survived by her beloved cat, Sir Skippy.
She was a proud member of MENSA. Nancy loved a good game show, playing Jeopardy and Scrabble was a nightly event. She appeared on "Password" and "$10,000 Pyramid" and she never missed an opportunity to go to yard sales or shopping at Filene's Basement for some retail therapy.
Nancy will always be remembered for her quick wit, sense of humor and generosity. She was one of a kind!
She is survived by her five children, Debra DeMello, Christopher Barton and his wife Catherine, Scott Barton and his wife Renae, Patrick Barton and his wife Debra, and Deidre Barton; five grandchildren, Quincy, Grant, Tyler, John, and Ryder Barton; and her brother, Jack McLaughlin.
Her family would like to give a BIG thank you to everyone at Hathaway Manor and Hospice for their kindness, patience and compassion.
Her Funeral will be held Saturday, June 18, 2022 at 8:30 AM from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford followed by her Funeral Mass at 9:30 AM at St. Mary's Church, Dartmouth. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery. Visiting hours will be Friday, June 17, 2022 from 4-7 PM. For directions and guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.