Barbara Jean (Maloney) Gorbey 69, of Franklin, passed away peacefully, on Tuesday Jan. 29, 2019 after a long illness.
Barbara was born in Portsmouth NH to Herbert W. and Ethel H. (Vancour) Maloney on March 27, 1949. She married David L. Gorbey on June 24, 1967 and enjoyed living in Franklin for 48 years. She attended Dean College where she studied nursing. She took great pride in her contributions during her 25-year career with Allergy and Asthma Specialty Physicians, where she touched many lives with her expertise and kindness. She was a generous woman contributing to her community through the Franklin Food Pantry and Friends of Franklin, volunteering as an English as a Second Language tutor and opening her home to exchange students over the years.
Barbara was happily married for 51 years and was a dear friend to many. She cherished time spent with her best friend Jane Farrell and her daily chats with her sister Pamela. She loved travelling to warm destinations especially summering with her family on Long Beach Island. She always loved attending her brother Patrick’s art shows. She was a Red Sox fan and enjoyed being a season ticket holder for many years with her husband.
Barbara enjoyed a good laugh, being in nature on her ‘knoll’ and watching the birds. She liked to read a great story and appreciated an ice cold vodka tonic. She had a joyful home where she welcomed everyone, enjoyed cooking a good meal and hosting the holidays. She was very funny and kept her sharp wit right up to the end.
Her greatest joy in life was being a nana. She loved spending time with her five grandchildren and cheering them on in sports and in life.
Barbara is preceded in death by her parents, her father-in-law James Edward Gorbey and her brother Rick.
Barbara is survived by her beloved husband David, her son David and his fiancé Melissa of Providence, daughters Danielle and her fiancé Carlos of Hopedale and Deirdre and her husband William of Franklin. She is also survived by brothers Herbert W. Maloney Jr. of Virginia, Robert Maloney of Connecticut, Michael Maloney of South Carolina, Patrick Maloney of Massachusetts, her sister Pamela Shaw of New Hampshire, her mother in law Dorothy Gorbey of Pennsylvania, brother-in-law Ed Gorbey, sisters-in-law Dottie Cappelli and Gail Brawley of Pennsylvania, her cherished grandchildren David, Sciarra, Carlos, James and Ellen as well as many nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles.
She is also survived by these kids who have enriched nana’s life: Kevin, Meaghan and Katie Swenson; Melanie and Thomas Ballarino; Sean, Sam and Jack Donovan; Alyssa, Matt and Stephanie Donovan; Ben and Matt Penick and Angelina Rivera.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend her funeral service Tues. Feb. 5th, at 11AM in the Charles F. Oteri and Son Franklin Funeral Home 33 Cottage St., with the Reverend Kathleen McAdams of St. John’s Church, officiating.
Burial will private at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Franklin MA.
Calling hours are Monday from 4-7PM.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Franklin Food Pantry 43 West Central St. Franklin, MA 02038.
Guestbook/directions www.oterifuneralhome.com.