Barbara “Barbie” Matson (Mancuso) a lifelong resident of Charlestown, Massachusetts entered into eternal life on December 17th, 2024, 2 days shy of her 72nd birthday. She was surrounded by all her children in her final moments.
Barbie was born in her mother Leatta (Alfier) Manucuso’s hometown of Phillipsburg , New Jersey on December 19, 1952. When her father Anthony “Anchor” Mancuso was honorably discharged from the US Navy he moved his family back to his hometown of Charlestown, Ma where she grew up and was educated in the Boston Public School system.
Barbie grew up in a lively home with her parents, and 5 siblings who were her best friends. Mary Lea (Bow) ,Deborah (Debbie),Carol (Minnie), David (Pickle) and Helen (Mazzie) .
She loved having a big family and full house so much that she went on to have and raise 8 children of her own. She was an incredibly strong woman, and once she loved you , she always loved you no matter what. It’s poetic that she leaves us at Christmas time, her favorite time of the year. She made the holidays so magical and left her family with priceless memories and her legacy of love to carry on. She will be remembered for her huge heart, her vibrant personality, and her endless love for making people laugh.
She spent her final days surrounded by love. Her home was filled with her family , visits from friends and all the liveliness she loved so much . She got to give each of her grandchildren their Christmas gifts and one last merry Christmas hug from Nan.
Barbie is the daughter of the late Anthony Mancuso, and the late Leatta Mae Mancuso ( Alfier).
She is the devoted mother of Toni Lea Boutlier (Matson), David Matson, Nicole Matson, Jillian Corbett (Gillis) and her husband Ryan Corbett , Barbie Gillis, Lindsey Ruyevcan (Gillis) and her husband Daniel Ruyevcan ,The late Anthony Matson and the late Neil Gillis jr.
She is the loving Nan to Jake, Jordyn, Maddox, Braeden, Keira, Xander, Ahrianna, Grace, Evelyn, and Liam.
She is survived by her dear sister Deborah Lang (Mancuso) and her husband, Francis Lang, Carol Fornash (Mancuso) and her late husband William Fornash, David Mancuso and his wife Diane, Helen Jones (Mancuso) and her late husband Phillip Jones and her late sister Mary Lea Mancuso. She is the fun and loving aunt to all of their children. Her nieces and nephews who she loved so much. She maintained a special friendship with the father of her children, Neil Gillis Sr. and will be remembered as family to Doreen Johnson.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend Barbie's Visiting Hours on Sunday, December 22, 2024 from 12 Noon to 3 P.M. in The Carr Funeral Home, 220 Bunker Hill St. Charlestown. Her burial is private.
In lieu of flowers, kindly make a memorial donation in Barbie's name to:
Anthony's Dream
P.O. Box 290814
Charlestown, MA 02129