Barbara E. McGrath “Nana B”, 84, of Londonderry, NH, passed away after a short illness on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, in her home surrounded by her loving family. Barbara was born on December 30, 1938 in Exeter, NH, to Glendon and Grace Stevens Emerson, the second of five children.
Barbara graduated from Hampstead High School in 1956 and married William Komenda. She grew up in NH and raised her family there. She worked for many years part time in the Hampstead and Timberline school districts. She had a successful career spanning 22 years of combined federal government service with the US Air Force, Army and Farmers Home Administration, she retired in 1997 from the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) in Burlington, MA. Upon retirement, she married David T. McGrath and moved from Massachusetts to their beautiful lakefront home in Mount Pleasant, SC.
Barbara and David enjoyed their retirement traveling the world as well as enjoying all that Charleston and the Low country have to offer. They loved sharing these experiences with their children and grandchildren. Their home was always considered the “Happy Place” for all who visited.
Barbara enjoyed much of her time sewing for the Charleston Stage Company costume shop with her good friend Barbara and volunteering for East Cooper Meals on Wheels. Her greatest passions included flower gardening, reading, sewing and being entertained by her two ragdoll cat’s antics.
Barbara moved back North to Londonderry, NH in 2017 to be closer to her family.
She was a role model for her grandchildren. She sparked their desire for traveling the world, taught them the importance of making their own decisions, always reminded them of how proud she was of each of them. They describe her as generous, supportive, resilient and determined.
She is survived by her kitty, Oreo; her daughter, Diane Komenda of Londonderry; two sons and their wives, Brian (Jayne) Komenda of New Boston, NH, and Daniel (Sue) Komenda of Sandown, NH; their father; William Komenda of Sandown, NH; five grandchildren; Danielle Komenda, Rachel Komenda, Dan Komenda Jr., Amy Gamanche and Jesse Komenda; two great-grandchildren, Lilly and Hunter Gamanche; two brothers and their wives, Neil (Sandra) Emerson, Richard (Carole) Emerson of Hampstead, NH, two sisters and their husbands; Nancy (Walter) Zwearcan of Hampstead, NH, and Glenda (Bob) Blomquist of Sarasota, FL. She was predeceased by her husband, David T. McGrath in July of 2016.
We will miss you today, tomorrow and every day until we meet again!
Following cremation, the family will hold a private Celebration of Life at a later date. The Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium of Derry and Londonderry. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to:
New Hampshire SPCA https://nhspca.org/donate-today or to NH PBS https://donate.nhpbs.org/nhpbs/donate