NATICK: Florence I. (Barrett) James, age 94, a longtime Natick resident, died peacefully early Saturday morning at Overlook Masonic Health Care Center in Charleton. She was the devoted wife of the late Frank E. James for 44 years.
Born in Brooklyn, NY, she was the daughter of the late George and Florence (Coles) Barrett. Florence’s family moved to Philadelphia, PA, in her youth and she was a 1940 graduate of Germantown High School. She and Frank were married on April 24, 1942, and started their family while living in Troy, Ohio.
The James family settled in Natick in 1956, and Florence set about creating a warm and loving home for her growing family. A life member of the Aurora Chapter #9 of the Eastern Star, Florence enjoyed her time as a Mother Advisor with the Natick Rainbow Girls #28. She had also been a member of the Social Order of the Beauceant.
Florence was retired from Sun Life Insurance Company and had been a member of the Hartford Street Presbyterian Church.
Predeceased by her great-granddaughter, Brianna Lynn Kirby, Florence is survived by a daughter, Betty L. MacPherson and her husband John of Bellingham; a son, Col. George R. James (USAF, Ret.) and his wife Theresa of Fredericksburg, TX; seven grandchildren, Cynthia Pandolfi and her husband Brian of Bellingham, William Woods and his wife Christine of Braintree, Kimberly Walker and her husband Dean of Bellingham, Brian James and his wife Tinley of Pinehurst, NC, Jonathan James and his wife Tara of Hollywood, CA, Jennifer Talley and her husband Kevin of San Antonio, TX, and Stacey MacPherson and her partner Brian of Jacksonville, FL; eight great-grandchildren, Kendra and Daniel Ramsey, Anthony and Marisa Woods, Vanessa and Max Walker, and Knox and Barrett James; and three great great-grandchildren, Gianna, Christian, and Grayson.
Relatives and friends may visit with Florence’s family at the John Everett & Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park Street at Natick Common, on Tuesday, Sept 29th from 4 – 7PM. She will be laid to rest next to her husband on Wednesday at the Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Florence’s memory to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation or Make A Wish.