Barbara Sheila (Humphreys, Duczakowski) Dewing, 93, of Hopedale formerly of Franklin passed peacefully August 24 at the Hulitar Hospice in Providence with her family at her bedside.
Born October 1, 1928, in Wiesbaden, Germany at the British Military Hospital to George Frederick Humphreys and Florence Mabel (Cook, Sturdy) Humphreys.
Her father was transferred in 1930 to Singapore where she enjoyed an extremely happy childhood. The family returned home to London England in 1940 just in time for the Blitz.
Barbara met Polish Army Sgt. Tadeusz Duczakowski in Hereford, England and they were married in January 1947. In 1950 they, with their young son, emigrated to Massachusetts.
In 1965 she began working for the Sears Roebuck Catalog Division in Brookline, MA until she retired to look after her first husband Tadeusz Duczakowski, who died in 1988.
She met Charles Dewing while attending Mass at St. Mary’s Church in Franklin. The couple married in 1990. They lived in Naples, FL and returned to MA where they settled in Hopedale in 1997. In 2001 her husband Charles passed away.
She was one of six children and leaves behind her older brother Lt. Col John Humphreys OBE, DL of London, England.
She is also survived by her sons, George Duczakowski and his wife Manh of Plainville, and Charles Duczakowski of Hopedale.
Barbara is also survived by 6 grandchildren: Van, Thuy, John, Arlo, Angelica and Christina, as well as great and great, great grandchildren.
Barbara was an avid reader, especially about the American Civil War. She had a great love of animals and birds. She was a loving and kind person with a good sense of humor. Those that knew her often said she was a “very special lady” and they cherished their time with her.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the MSPCA, Humane Society, Best Friends or your animal humane society of choice.
Arrangements are under the care of the Ginley Funeral Home of Franklin (www.ginleyfuneralhomes.com).