Barbara J. Eldredge, 92, a life-long resident of North Andover passed away on Wednesday, March 20th, 2013 at the Sutton Hill Center in North Andover.
A daughter of the late Walter E. and Mildred (Heckman) Eldredge, she was born in Lawrence on June 29, 1920. Barbara was educated in the local schools of North Andover and was a graduate of Johnson High School. She received her teaching degree from Lowell State Teachers College in 1941.
She was a parishioner of Saint Michael’s Church in North Andover where she was also a Eucharistic Minister. At the Kittredge School in North Andover, Barbara was both the Assistant Principal and a second grade teacher, proud that all of her students learned to read. She received an award for never missing a day of work. Barbara made an impact on her students, who would often recognize her while she was out and about. Although many years had passed, she always remembered the student and their name.
Barbara was an avid Red Sox fan. She loved to knit and she donated many of the beautiful baby blankets, sweaters, mittens and Christmas Stockings that she made throughout the year.
In her early years, she enjoyed summer vacations at Plum Island and in her later years she loved to take car rides through Bradford and the seacoast.
For over a decade, she was a dedicated volunteer at Salem Haven Nursing Home in Salem, New Hampshire, giving her time caring for others until she was in her late eighties. She was a prolific sender of Christmas cards, brightening the lives of hundreds each year.
Barbara will be remembered for the many lives she touched. She freely gave of her time and efforts to her family and those in need, without hesitation, never seeking recognition.
In addition to her parents, Barbara was predeceased by her brother Walter E. Eldredge, Jr., her sister and brother-in-law Rosemary and Bill Lane and a nephew, Timothy Lane.
Members of her family include her sister and brother-in-law, Elaine and Jack Seltzer of Dennisport, MA; a sister-in-law, Dorothy Eldredge of Lawrence, MA; her six nieces, Karen D. Eldredge and her husband Gerard McInerney of Nashua, NH, Peggy Sansoucie and her husband Brian of Haverhill, MA, Barbara Lane of Hampstead, NH, Sue Bourget and her significant other Craig Neely of Duxbury, MA, Edie Geoffrion and her husband Ray of Brewster, MA and Debbie Seltzer of Pittsburg, PA; Her six nephews Christopher Eldredge of Methuen, MA, Mike Lane and his wife Linda of Oswego, NY, Dennis Lane and his wife Patty of Atkinson, NH, Pat Lane and his wife Linda of Haverhill, MA, Sean Lane and his wife Cathy of Plaistow, NH and David Seltzer and his wife Anne of Davis, CA; several great nieces and nephews and many cousins.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to call on Sunday, March 24th, 2013 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the John Breen Memorial Funeral Home, Inc., 35 Merrimack Street, North Andover, MA. For online condolences and other information please visit us at www.breenfuneralhome.com
Her funeral mass will be celebrated on Monday, March 25th, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. in Saint Michaels Church in North Andover, MA. Burial will follow at the Elmwood Cemetery in Haverhill, Massachusetts.