Our beloved mother passed into a dream on October 10, 2021.
Elsie Barboza, known as Gerri, was born in MA, February 4, 1931. She was the second daughter of Burton Hobday and Stacia Kissel. She lived a full life. As a child, she worked in tobacco fields. Later, she married and had two children, and had many friends. She grew up during the Depression and had thrifty habits, as so many of us still keep balls of string.
Her older sister Gloria passed in 1979. Gloria’s passing encouraged her to start a new life, taking up golf, and tennis. She found her love of art and watercolor painting, and became an accomplished watercolor artist.
She had a wonderful career at Paine Webber brokerage, where she was dearly loved by her colleagues. By a miracle, she survived lung cancer in 2000, and made the most of her remaining years. She was very lucky. This was a woman who was lively, vivacious; and who made friends with everyone she met.
With her dear friend Anna Mae McArdle, she traveled the world in the 1980s, visiting China, Australia, Europe, Brazil, and beyond. She wintered in Florida, where she loved watching the pelicans dive, dolphins jump, and the glorious sunsets.
Her many friends would say that her friendship made their life better. Many called her their best friend. She never judged anyone, and a negative word from her was never heard. What a heart she had — and though it was weak at the end, it was filled to overflowing with love and she spent as much time as possible sharing it with others. She was the kind of person was always interested in something new: art, history, music, humanity.
She is survived by her two children, Paul Barboza and his wife Brya of Amherst, MA, and Lisa Barboza and her husband Brian Roach of Palo Alto, CA, as well as two grandchildren, Joseph Barboza of Amherst, and Tommy Alexander of San Francisco, CA. Her long-lost cousins Susan and Stephen Hobday were discovered, by a miracle, to be living on Cape Cod.
She is now with her dear friends, Annamae McArdle, Mary Austin and Kathy Ahern, and we are sure that they are in heaven, partying like mad, playing cards, drinking, and cutting up a rug.
Blessed Be Her Memory. A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, November 6, 2021 from 2:00 to 4:00 PM at the St. Pierre-Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels, (413-532-9806), 13 Dale Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. The parking lot and main entrance of the funeral home are located at 20 Lafayette Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. Masks are recommended for her services. Her burial will be private.
In her memory, we ask that donations be sent to the D’Amour Center for Cancer Care, Baystate Health Foundation, 280 Chestnut Street, Springfield, MA 01199. For more details and to leave her family condolence messages, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com