SALEM - Barbara Anne (Towner) LaPorte, wife of John D. “Jack” LaPorte, of Salem, died Saturday, June 30, 2012, with her family at her side.
Born in Swampscott, she was the daughter of the late Kenneth and Wilhelmina (Hay) Towner. Barbara graduated from Swampscott High School and the Salem Hospital School of Nursing. At Salem Hospital she was a head nurse for a number of years. Barbara also studied and received a Post Graduate certificate at the National Hospital of Neurology and Neurosurgery in London, England.
As a registered nurse, Barbara worked many years at Mary A. Alley Hospital, Salem Hospital, with Dr. Stavros, and at the Lahey Hamilton/Wenham Medical Group Practice. Her work “family” and her patients were always close to her heart.
Traveling the world with her best friend/husband at her side was, by far, one of Barbara’s greatest accomplishments and points of happiness in her life. Barbara will forever be remembered as a devoted wife, mother and “Nana”. Her grandchildren were her greatest treasure. She lived for her family, to make them happy was her truest pride and joy.
Besides her husband, with whom she shared over 41 years of marriage, she is survived by a daughter, Lisa LaPorte Pais, two grandchildren, Alison Rose Pais and Jack Anthony Pais all of Peabody, one brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Marie Towner of Laconia, NH and several nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews
Visiting hours will be held Friday, July 6th from 4 to 8 pm at the Full-Spychalski Funeral Home, 84 Washington Square East, by Salem Common, Salem. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, July 7, 2012 at 10 am at the Holy Family Church, 26 Bessom St., Lynn, followed by a committal service at Greenlawn Cemetery, Salem. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. For those who desire, donations may be made in her memory to Salem Hospital Nursing Alumni Association, North Shore Medical Center, c/o Margaret Hollihan. SurgiCenter , 81 Highland Ave., Salem, MA 01970. For guest book and directions, visit www.SalemFuneral.com .