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Barbara Francis Obituary
Leyden, MA - Barbara Francis, 84, of Leyden, MA, born in Montclair, NJ, passed on November 19, 2025. After attending Wellesley College, she began graduate school at the University of Chicago in the turbulent 1960s and moved to New Mexico in 1966 where she was very active advocating and experimenting with solar energy in the 70s and 80s as well as promoting peace and a non-nuclear world. She took this passion to Nicaragua in the late 80s where she propagated knowledge about solar energy, particularly using the sun rather than fossil fuel to dry seeds for farming. She is the inventor of the heliodon, an architectural device that allows efficient and optimal solar design of buildings. Since moving to Western Massachusetts in the 90s, she continued working on experimental design and was a strong advocate for sustainable farming and building as well as completing a degree in nonprofit management from Bay Path University in Longmeadow, MA. Barbara is survived by her husband of over 3 decades, Albert Woodhull, three sons (Tyler, Hartwell, and Norton), stepson (Gordon) and two grandchildren (Safia and Zain). Memorial service to be held at later date.
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Memories and Condolences
for Barbara Francis
4 Entries
Rob Kusner
February 3, 2026
Heartfelt condolences to Al and family, and to the many friends of Barbara.
Besides pioneering work in solar energy, Barbara's legacy founding the rail-trail-supporting nonprofit Norwottuck Network at the turn of the millennium continues into the future as the Massachusetts Central Rail Trail Alliance, working to create, complete, and sustain a vast network of rail-trails across the Commonwealth and beyond.
We deeply miss her kind and thoughtful guidance.
Louise Amyot
January 31, 2026
I did not know Barbara well but she and I shared a passion for protecting the environment. We traveled together to an agricultural conference in Worcester several years ago and that turned out to be an enjoyable experience. She was bright, engaging, knowledgeable and had a lovely sense of humor. Sadly, we lost touch as her illness progressed but I think of her often. I want to extend my deepest sympathy to her family. She was a lovely person.
Mary Santiago
January 10, 2026
. My deepest sympathies go to Al and family at the loss of Barbara.
Craig Della Penna
January 9, 2026
And I knew Barbara through her efforts on the board of Norwottuck Network. She was a force of nature and will be missed.
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