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Barbara Ann (McDonald) Quigley, 88, of Natick, MA, formerly of Wellesley, MA, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 28, 2023, surrounded by the care and comfort of her loving family. She was the beloved wife of Charles F. Quigley, the love of her life, who predeceased her in 1984. At long last, she is reunited with him in heaven.
Born in Newton, MA, she was the daughter of the late George F. and Ethel M. (MacNeil) McDonald. She attended Catholic schools most of her life. After graduating from Saint Bernard’s High School in West Newton, she received her R.N. from the Catherine Labouré School of Nursing in Boston. Smart and ambitious, she continued her education, receiving her B.S.N. at Boston College followed by her M.Ed. from Anna Maria College.
Barbara was a nurse by profession, but nursing was also a passion for her. She devoted her life to teaching nursing students and tending to patients who needed and appreciated her loving touch and medical acumen. Following several years of working at various Boston-area hospitals, she spent the majority and remainder of her career as an instructor at St. Elizabeth’s School of Nursing. Barbara found a career path that was a natural fit for her. She had a gift for mentoring, and taught countless students, many of whom continue to practice nursing. She made an indelible impression on so many during her years teaching a new generation of nurses. She will be fondly remembered for her patience, kindness, and compassion.
Family was most important to Barbara -- and the focus of her life. Among other roles, she was an amazing daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and great-aunt. Her love and generosity knew no bounds. She is survived by her four children who loved her to the moon and back, three sons, Paul J. Quigley of Santa Monica, CA, Peter F. Quigley of Westborough, MA, and Mark A. Quigley and his wife Lori of Framingham, MA, and her daughter, Gail M. Morey and her husband Townsend of Natick, MA. In addition, she is survived by her loving sister, Carol Capeless of Naples, FL, and sisters-in-law Patricia Russell of Marlboro, MA, and Mary Ann McDonald of Wellesley, MA. She was predeceased by her siblings, Joan Murphy and Kenneth McDonald, and her precious grandson, Peter Frank Quigley, who left this earth far too soon at age 4.
Her seven cherished grandchildren, ranging in age from 32 to 20, Matthew, Shawn, Kate, Townsend, Sarah, Michelle, and Patrick, were the lights of her life. She thoroughly enjoyed watching them participate in many sports, including hockey, baseball, wrestling, cheerleading, basketball, cross country, field hockey, lacrosse, and softball. Seeing her grandchildren thrive, compete, and excel at their chosen sports brought so many smiles and so much joy to Barbara’s life. She was extremely proud of the adults they have become and the paths they have chosen.
Barbara will also be missed immensely by many nieces and nephews, as well as her favorite four-legged grandchildren, Tucker and Dunkin.
Barbara enjoyed being active, especially with her family and friends. She had boundless energy and curiosity, and loved to travel to places of great beauty, such as Greece, Bermuda, Alaska, and her mother’s homeland of Nova Scotia.She loved nature and spent much time biking, walking, and playing tennis. She particularly loved the mountains of New Hampshire, where she explored and hiked around Lake Winona near the quaint property that she and Charlie proudly purchased together. She also enjoyed playing tennis and watching sunsets on Vanderbilt Beach in Naples, FL. She loved and enjoyed life to the fullest, with no regrets.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral at the John Everett & Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park St., on Friday, June 2nd, at 9 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Patrick’s Church, 44 E. Central St., Natick, at 10 a.m. Visiting hours are on Thursday, June 1st, from 4-7 p.m. in the funeral home. For directions and to sign the guest book, please visit www.everettfuneral.com
In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in Barbara’s name to Care Dimensions Hospice House, Lincoln, MA, who so lovingly cared for Barbara, and who sent her off to the afterlife with the sounds of birds, the sights of deer, and the presence of wild turkeys.
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