BRADFORD: Barbara J. (Dickson) Decoteau, 77, died Thursday, January 6, 2011 in the Merrimack Valley Hospice House. She was the wife of the late Robert J. Decoteau who died in 2000.
Born in Haverhill on February 2, 1933, she was the daughter of the late Alfred B. and Margaret (Donovan) Dickson. A lifelong resident of Haverhill she was a graduate of Haverhill High School. After spending many years at home raising her four boys she took a position as an administrative assistant at the former Bradford College in the Philanthropy Office until her retirement in 1995.
In her leisure time she enjoyed bowling and playing bingo at Sacred Hearts Church. She also liked visiting Foxwoods and spending time at the beach. Most of all she loved the time spent with her family especially her grandchildren, whom she loved to spoil.
She is survived by her four sons, Robert J. Decoteau, Jr., of Merritt Island, FL., Brian E. Decoteau and his wife, Anne of Waltham, Jeffrey D. Decoteau and his wife, Marguerite and Eric D. Decoteau and his wife, Kara all of Haverhill; five grandchildren, Eamonn, Shane, Sarah, Andrew and Casey; two great-grandchildren, Tyler and Olivia; a sister, Mary Hanover of North Andover and two sisters-in-law, Marilyn Ferguson of Merrimac and Marlane Clukey of Melbourne, FL. She was also predeceased by a sister, Catherine Callahan, and two brothers, Alfred G. “Brud” Dickson and Carl H. Dickson.
Her funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday in the Sacred Hearts Church, S. Main St., Bradford at 10:30 a.m. Visiting hours will be held Monday in the Linnehan-Grondin Funeral Home, 52 Salem St., Bradford, from 4 – 8 p.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701. Interment will be held in the Linwood Cemetery, Haverhill.