Gilford, NH-----Barbara R. Lofblad, 76, of Dockham Shore Road, Gilford, NH, died in Boston, MA, on Saturday, March 2, 2013, after a long illness.
Mary Barbara Elaine Ryan was born August 13, 1936, in Providence, RI, the daughter of John J. and Mary Burns Ryan. She received her bachelor’s degree from Mt. Holyoke College, majoring in economics and sociology. She raised her family in Shrewsbury, MA, with summers spent on Lake Winnipesaukee. Later, she split her time between Gilford, NH, and West Palm Beach, FL.
Barbara is survived by her husband of fifty-three years, Robert Lofblad, of Gilford, NH; her son Corey Lofblad and his children Siobhan, Olivia, and Ian, of Gilford, NH; her son Bob Lofblad, wife Pam, and children Katie and Carter, of Wellesley, MA; her daughter Carolyn Twitchell, husband Kevin, and children Ryan, Grace, and Evan, of Glen Ridge, NJ; her daughter Kristin Sullivan, husband Jim, and son Matthew, of Cambridge, MA; and her sister, Lianne Moriarty, of Old Saybrook, CT. Her first son, Michael Christopher, pre-deceased her.
Primarily a wife, mother, and grandmother, Barbara also held a variety of positions outside the home. She began her career as a teacher in California, and later sold real estate in Shrewsbury. She also enjoyed volunteer work, which enabled her to chat with people from all walks of life.
Barbara loved to travel, visiting many places across the US and around the world over the years. She was a consummate chef and a real “foodie.” She was a voracious reader, an avid walker, and a sharp shopper. Most of all, she loved her family and always welcomed everyone to her home, known affectionately as “Camp Dockham.”
Calling hours will be held on Thursday, March 7, 2013, 4:00-7:00PM, in the Carriage House of the Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, NH.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, March 8, 2013, at 1:00PM at St. Andre Bessette Parish – Sacred Heart Church, 291 Union Avenue, Laconia, NH.
Burial will be privately held in the spring in the family lot in St. Lambert Cemetery, Laconia, NH.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network at www.pancan.org/ or mail to PANCAN, 1500 Rosecrans Avenue, Suite 200, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, NH, is assisting the family with the arrangements.