NATICK: Barbara F. (Ainsworth) Dumas, age 83, a longtime Natick resident, died peacefully on Sunday evening, August 24, 2014, at Mary Ann Morse Healthcare Center in Natick. She was the devoted wife of the late Francis J. “Fran” Dumas for 59 years.
Born and raised in Natick, she was a daughter of the late William and Bernice M. (Handley) Ainsworth. In high school, Barbara was Lead Majorette for the Natick High School Band, enjoyed part time work as a soda jerk at Jones Drug Store, and fell for football player Fran. They married a few years later when he was on leave from the service.
Barbara created a warm and loving home for their growing family in Natick. She was a medical secretary at Framingham Union Hospital for many years until she retired. The family enjoyed many summer vacations at a cottage in Truro and camping. The couple bought a retirement home and settled in South Yarmouth, where they lived for many years and loved spending time by the ocean. The Dumas’ had been active parishioners of St. Patrick’s Church in Natick and St. Pius X Church in South Yarmouth. Barbara created many ceramic pieces over the years to share with family and friends. Barbara was an adoring mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and especially loved spending time with her family.
Predeceased by Fran, a retired Natick Firefighter in 2011, she is survived by their five loving children, Michael F and his wife Tami of Mendon, Peter L and his wife Kim of Franklin, Paul and his wife, Bernadette, of Natick, Nancy E Sherman and her husband David of Douglas and Jean-Marie of Watertown; nine grandchildren, Kevin and his wife Rebecca, Joseph, Patrick, Megan, Michelle, Marie, Timothy, Kristen and Maximilian; a great-granddaughter, Arianna; her sisters, Brenda Boyd and her husband Ken of NY, and Sharon Abraham of IL; her sister-in-law, Phyllis O’Connor of Framingham; and many nieces and nephews. She was a sister of the late Eleanor Crowley O’Hare, and sister-in-law of the late Marion Tedesco and Marjorie Balboni.
Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend her funeral from the John Everett & Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park Street at Natick Common, on Thursday, Aug. 28th at 10:00AM with a Mass of Christian Burial in Saint Patrick’s Church, 44 East Central Street, Natick, at 11:00AM. Committal Services will be at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne at 2:30PM.
Visiting hours will be on Wednesday 4 – 8PM. Donations may be made in Barbara’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 8th Avenue, NY, NY 10001.