Barbara A. Desharnais, R.N.
...State Deputy of the Massachusetts Grange; 78
TEWKSBURY - Barbara A. (Grant) Desharnais, R.N., 78, an active member of the Parish
community of St. William’s in Tewksbury, died Thursday morning, March 22, at her Tewksbury
home after a courageous one year battle with cancer. She was the wife of the late Roland A.
Desharnais, who died in November 2005.
She was born in Newton, on April 12, 1928, a daughter of the late John and Kathleen (Boyle) Grant.
She was raised in Newton and attended Our Lady of Perpetual Help School, and later the Boston
City Hospital School of Nursing. She moved to Tewksbury in 1951.
She retired from St. Joseph’s Hospital in Lowell, where she had worked in several departments,
including her longest tour within the hospital’s pediatrics department.
Active in fraternal orders, she was currently the State Deputy of the Massachusetts Grange, a
member of the Tewksbury Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8164, Women’s Auxiliary, the
Tewksbury Disabled American Veterans Post 110, Women’s Auxiliary, and the St. William’s
Blessed Virgin Mary Sodality. In her later years, she was also active at the Tewksbury Senior
Drop-In Center and a member of the Tewksbury Golden Age Club.
Mrs. Desharnais was an active member and Eucharistic Minister at St. William’s Parish
community and attended daily Mass at 9 a.m. when her health permitted.
She is survived by six children, Ann Marie Cantwell and her husband Walter of Tyngsboro,
Patricia Judd of Lowell, John A. Desharnais of Tewksbury, Roland E. Desharnais and his wife
Elizabeth (Silver) of Burlington, Kevin W. Desharnais and his wife Joanne (Carney) of
Derry,NH, and Linda Y. Desharnais of Tewksbury; ten grandchildren, Kelley Dickson of Dracut,
Michael Cantwell of Windham, NH, Steven Cantwell of Lowell, Patty Cebula of Dracut, Roland
E. Desharnais Jr. of Fla., Rachel Desharnais Texas, Matthew Desharnais of Burlington, Jennifer
Desharnais of Missouri, Gavin Desharnais and Elaine Desharnais both of Derry, NH; eight great
grandchildren, Billy, Katie, Andrew, Mallorie, Steven J., Lexi, Brian, and Julian; her sister-in-law,
Dorothy Grant of Lexington; brother-in-law, Harold Behling of Utah; many nieces and nephews;
and her dear long time friend, Regina Thomas of Tewksbury..
She was also mother of the late Thomas D. Desharnais and William P. Desharnais, and sister of
the late John L. Grant, Virginia Taverna, and Jean Behling.
Her Funeral Mass was celebrated Monday, March 26, in St. William’s Church,
Tewksbury followed by burial in Tewksbury Cemetery. Memorials to the Saints Medical
Center, Spindle Fund, c/o Foundation Office, P.O. Box 367, Lowell, MA 01853, will be
appreciated.