FRANKLIN ---- Barbara Ann Breton, 84, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Peabody Place in Franklin, NH, with her family by her side.
Barbara was born on January 31, 1942 to the late Henry P. Lambert and Blanche E. (Vachon) Lambert. She was raised in Laconia alongside her brother, Richard Lambert, and attended Sacred Heart School.
After welcoming her first three children, Barbara met her future husband, Roger G. Breton. Together, they had a fourth child and raised their family as one. They spent the next 58 years together until Roger’s passing in August 2024. Barbara worked alongside Roger to provide for their family. Outside of the home, she worked at Gilford High School from 1976 to 2005 in the food service program. She enjoyed her work and loved being part of the lives of generations of children in the community.
At home, Barbara enjoyed cooking for her family, working on renovation projects, and tending to their vegetable garden. Each year, her and Roger would harvest their vegetables, spend time canning them, and they would even make their family Piccalilli from their garden’s green tomatoes—a tradition she carried on until recently. She was also famous for her meat pies which she made each year around the holidays.
After her retirement in 2005, Barbara took on the role of being a Memere full time—aiding in the raising of her nine grandchildren. She created an inviting home full of warmth and love for each of them—whether it was coming over to swim in their pool, go sledding in their backyard, or just have breakfast together. She played alongside each of them, donning the responsibility of train conductor, pirate, or wizard in whatever imaginary world her grandchildren had conjured up.
As a lifelong lover of animals, there was always a dog or cat around, adding to the activity of the house. This continued as Barbara’s family expanded further and she welcomed her ten great-grandchildren, who gave her the affectionate nickname of “Blue Memere”—an homage to the blue items that made up much of her wardrobe. With them, she continued the role she had mastered as a grandmother—watching, playing, and reading with them into her 80s.
Barbara is survived by her children and their spouses: Wendy L’Heureux and her husband, Mark; Marylou Leach and her partner, Dave Jenkins; Ted Baldwin and his wife, Cindi; and Michelle Fridlington and her husband, Bill; brother Rev. Mr. Richard Lambert of the Archdiocese of Las Vegas; grandchildren: Mark Hebert, Brandon L’Heureux, Amanda Dudek, John Sands, Ryan Baldwin, Meagan Baldwin, Molly Baldwin, Christopher Fridlington, Ben Fridlington; and ten great-grandchildren.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at 10:00 am at St. Andre Bessette Parish – Sacred Heart Church, 291 Union Avenue, Laconia, NH.
Burial will follow the Mass at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Laconia, NH.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Barbara’s name to the NH Humane Society, PO Box 572, Laconia, NH 03247.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home and Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia, NH 03246, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, please visit wilkinsonbeane.com.