CHARLTON – Barbara T. (Browne) Heider, 93, a long time resident of Webster, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at the Overlook Retirement Community. Her husband of 48 years, Louis H. Heider, passed away in 2002.
She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother who shared her deep faith, wisdom, and strong commitment to helping others.
She leaves four sons, Donald Heider and his wife Lisa of Webster, Kenneth Heider and his wife Cathy of Greenfield, Timothy Heider and his wife Lynn of Portland, OR and Michael Heider and his wife Alison of Phoenix, AZ; two daughters, Mary Heider of Worcester, and Carol Lewis of South Deerfield and her partner Bill Gould: 12 grandchildren, Christopher, Ashley, Patrick, Thomas, Jordann, Cameron, Braedon, Michael, Anthony, Eric, Carly and Caitlin; eight great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her brother James Browne in 2012.
She was born on October 28, 1931 in Brooklyn, NY the daughter of James and Teresa (Scales) Browne and graduated from St. Francis Xavier Academy in 1949 and then from St. Joseph’s College for Women where she received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education. She taught English at the junior high school level in New York.
Barbara was a Eucharistic minister and lector for many years at Saint Anthony of Padua Parish in Dudley where she played a major role in establishing its Bereavement Ministry. The bereavement committee guided and supported families in planning funeral services for their loved ones. In her devotion to helping others, she was also deeply committed to providing weekly ministry to the residents of Webster Manor Nursing Home.
Barbara cherished spending time with family and friends. She thoroughly enjoyed a variety of interests including sewing (she was an incredible seamstress), gardening, boating and kayaking on Webster Lake. She had an incredible passion for learning and loved to read. One of her greatest joys was being a “Boxer Dog Mom” for more than 60 years.
The family would like to thank the compassionate and supportive staff at Overlook Health for their care of Barbara for the last three years.
The funeral will be held Friday, December 13, at 11:00 AM in Saint Joseph Church, H Putnam Road Extension, Charlton. Burial will be held at the convenience of the family. Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 PM Thursday, December 12, in the Sitkowski, Malboeuf & Hickey Funeral Home, 340 School Street, Webster and again from 10:00 to 11:00AM Friday in the church. Donations in her memory may be made to Overlook Communities, Inc., 88 Masonic Home Road, Charlton, MA 01507 (overlook-mass.org).