ATHOL - Barbara M. (Thompson) Fiske, 87 of Athol, died February 2nd, in her home. She was born in Gardner, on August 23, 1925, the daughter of the late Paul D. and the late Eva J. (Leamy) Thompson.
Barbara graduated from Gardner High School in 1943 and from Fitchburg State College in 1947 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. She did graduate studies at Boston University and the University of New Hampshire.
She was the principal and fifth grade teacher at the former Connors Street School in Gardner for five and a half years and was co-owner, with her husband George, of the Fiske Funeral Home for forty-five years before retiring in 1998.
Barbara was a member of the Fitchburg State University Supporting Organization since 2004, serving as Clerk from 2010 until recently. She was also a member of the FSU Alumni Association.
Barbara was a member of Our Lady Immaculate Church, a former CCD teacher, and a Eucharistic Minister since 1987 until recently.
She was a member of the Athol American Legion Auxiliary, Post 102, and served as Girl’s State Chairperson since 1965. She was a life member of the Athol Historical Society, the Athol Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, the Athol Woman’s Club, the Athol-Petersham Grange, the American Association of Retired Persons and the Packard Heights Association.
Barbara was also a member of the Fitchburg Art Museum and the Petersham Craft Center. She was a former member of the Petersham Curling Club. She was a member of the former organizations in Athol; Catholic Woman’s League, Quota Club, Emblem Club, and the Carpenter Concert Series of Petersham.
Barbara enjoyed collecting John Rogers Statuary groups with her husband. As a member of the Antique Automobile Club of American, North Quabbin Cruisers, Mid-State Antique Auto, Connecticut Valley Region Antique Car Club, Yankee Wood Chapter, National Woodie Club, and the Plymouth Owners Club, Inc., she appreciated meeting so many interesting and devoted car enthusiasts.
Barbara leaves one daughter: Jane A. Slarskey and her husband David of Leominster; two sons: George F. Fiske III of Brockton, and John M. Fiske of Worcester; seven grandchildren: Kyle Fiske of Sommerville, Jennifer Gilman and her husband Jamie of North Brookfield, Mercury Fiske of Worcester, Dwight and Drew Fiske of Brockton, Julie and Jacob Slarskey of Leominster; two great grandchildren, Erica Gilman and Jyzear Fiske; and several nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.
Barbara is pre-deceased by her husband George F. Fiske Jr., with whom she celebrated 59 years of marriage, who died on July 2nd 2012 and by a grandson, Lance Fiske.
Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. in the Church of Our Lady Immaculate Church, 192 School Street., Athol. Burial will follow in Silver Lake Cemetery, Athol.
Calling hours will be held Tuesday, February 5, 2013 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Fiske, Murphy & Mack Funeral Home, 1356 Main St., Athol, MA 01331.
The family wishes to thank the Gardner Visiting Nurses Association, Diane Colburn, Frank Gonzalez, and Margaret Moore, for their extraordinary kindness and care over these last several weeks. The family also wishes to acknowledge the care and compassion provided to Barbara by the staff at the Athol Memorial Hospital.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made in her memory to Our Lady Immaculate Church Building Fund, 192 School St., Athol, MA 01331.