BEVERLY - Barbara L. (Hames) Tufts, 94, of Beverly died peacefully at Genesis Twin Oaks Center in Danvers on Wednesday November 26th 2014. Barbara was born in Salem to the late Harry and Grace Hames and she was the loving wife to the late Robert B. Tufts for 60 years.
Barbara had two sisters Virgina Arnold of Marblehead and Dorathy Puerea of Peabody. She was the beloved mother of 8 children; Stephen and wife Diane Tufts of Calabash, NC, Robert and wife Joan Tufts of Sarasota, FL, Elizabeth Tufts of Alpharetta, GA, Paula and Michael Youngman of St. Johnsbury, VT, son in law Alan Beveridge husband of the late Christine Tufts Beveridge of Danvers. Sons Peter, Paul and Michael Tufts all predeceased her.
Barbara was a graduate of Salem High School. She was employed in Salem by the Holyoke Mutual Fire Insurance Company before being relocated to West Point, NY as her husband Robert fulfilled his military career as a coach and physical education instructor at the Academy. Upon returning to Salem, Barbara was employed as an administrator for GTE Sylvania for several years.
Family was Barbara’s pride and joy and she loved her 17 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren. Barbara enjoyed gardening and visiting beaches such as Dane Street Beach and Obear Park in Beverly. In addition to her her love for the ocean she also loved helping others and she devoted much of her time to her Parish, the former St. Alphonsus Church in Danvers; where her husband Robert was the Pastoral Assistant. Barbara taught Sunday School, cooked for the Parish Priests, prepared the church for services and was a member of the church choir.
A visitation will be held Tuesday December 9th from 4-7 pm at the Full-Spychalski Funeral Home, 84 Washington Square East, by Salem Common, Salem. A Memorial Mass to celebrate Barbra’s life will be held on Wednesday December 10th at 9 am at Saint Mary of the Annunciation Church, 24 Conant Street, Danvers. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to Life Choice Hospice, 790 Turnpike Street, North Andover, MA 01845, or to The Christine Ann Tufts Beveridge Scholarship Fund at North Shore Community College at http://www.northshore.edu/giving/gifts/new-donor.html. For guest book and directions, visit www.SalemFuneral.com.