Barbara Alexander, 72, a lifelong resident of New Bedford, died August 31, 2020 at her home.
Barbara was the daughter of the late David P. and Virginia "Bobbie" (Sylvia) Alexander, she was a former employee of St. Luke's Hospital and later retired from Hawthorn Medical Associates.
Barbara was an extraordinary human being with a tremendous heart and soul filled with love, kindness, compassion and honesty.
She loved her children beyond measure and knew that they were her greatest accomplishment in life. Barbara’s lasting legacy is what she modeled and instilled in her children- the priceless gifts of enduring strength, independence, and showing compassion and kindness to all.
Barbara cherished her beloved Akitas, Nikki and Isis. They were the reason she fell in love with the poem, “Spirit of the Akita”, as well as the motion picture film, “Hachi. ” Like the Akita breed, Barbara was an extremely loyal and faithful friend to all who knew her, most especially her loved ones. Multiplying her joy and love of dogs, Barbara adored her beloved granddogs, Jack, Onyx, Chester, Lexie, Blue, Stanley, Trooper and Whiskey. They always brought the biggest smile to her face and made her day better.
Barbara sweetly known as “Babs” was more than just a coworker. Babs was everyone’s work Mom, Grandmother and friend. Anyone fortunate enough to have known Babs, knew how much she enjoyed preparing meals to share with loved ones and friends. Many happy memories were made at her themed parties decorated with Babs’ flair. Bab’s kind heart and unselfish ways made everyone feel special and appreciated. She had a keen sense of knowing when someone was sad and needed a pick-me-up. Her sheer presence was uplifting, and she thoroughly enjoyed making people laugh and smile.
Babs enjoyed shopping, listening and dancing to her favorite Motown music, taking the ferry to Martha’s Vineyard with friends, spending time with her best friends and reminiscing about their life long adventures, reading Elin Hildebrand books about stories on “the Vineyard”, traveling to Las Vegas, Tucson Arizona, and having brunch at Bittersweet Farms or The Inn on Shipyard Park. Many, many friends were gifted with a fleece blanket, a Babs’ creation, symbolic of her warmth and the joy she spread.
Barbara loved people; all people. She cherished her childhood friends she knew growing up and the new ones she made later in life, when a new chapter had begun. She loved to laugh, to smile, to give, to listen. When she listened, she listened with her whole heart. These are the things that mattered to her most. Babs lived a full life, with a pure heart and a beautiful smile. She truly was, “Salt of the Earth.”
Survivors include her son, Michael DeCosta and his wife Patricia of New Bedford; daughter, Rachel Joseph of New Bedford; two grandsons Matthew and Jonathan Smith; and a great-grandson, Landon.
Visitation will be held on Monday, September 14th, 2020 from 4-8 PM at the Saunders Dwyer Home for Funerals, located at 495 Park St., New Bedford. Please be advised that due to Covid-19, there are strict safety guidelines that must be adhered. Masks are required to be allowed entry to the services. Please practice social distancing and avoid any close contact with others. Guests will be permitted to pay their respects and depart to allow the next guests to enter. Capacity at the funeral home will be limited, so there could be wait times outside the funeral home. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
Remembrances can be made in Barbara’s name to the Humane Society Shelter South Coast located at 31 Ventura Drive, Dartmouth Massachusetts 02747.