Barbara D. Metras

METRAS, Barbara D. (Flaherty) 99, (U.S. Navy Ret), of Marina Bay, Quincy and Marco Island, Fl., September 17, 2008. Beloved wife of the late George Metras. Beloved sister of the late Elizabeth Noonan, Margaret Flaherty, Mary Mahoney, Sarah Lally, Daniel Flaherty, Joseph Flaherty, Eleanor F. Kelly and Evelyn Greeley. Beloved aunt of Ellen K. Leonard of Canton, Sally A. Kelly of Cambridge, Anne Kelly Contini of Arlington, Daniel Flaherty of Marco Island, FL, Judith Ferreira of Quincy and many other nieces and nephews. Also survived by her step daughters, Patricia Dever of N.Y. and Barbara Pruschki of FL and their families. She was born on January 19, 1909, in South Boston to Sarah Hernon Flaherty and Patrick Flaherty and was the first woman in the Armed Services to retire after 20 years of service. She joined the original Wave Company of 72 women from Massachusetts in October 1942 and attended Boot Camp and Storekeeper School at the University of Indiana in Bloomington, Indiana. By 1945 she attained the rank of Chief Petty Officer, the Navy's highest non-commissioned rating in the specialty of Storekeeper. She last served as Master-at Arms of the Waves barracks and retired at the North Island Naval Air Station in San Diego, California on April 10, 1962. Her honors and awards include the American Theater and Victory ribbons of WW II, a Good Conduct Medal with five stars, and an Expert Pistol Marksmanship Medal. She also served in Squantum, Massachusetts, and the Frontier Base in East Boston, Norfolk, Virginia, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and Newport, Rhode Island. Patriot, world traveler, devoted wife, sister, stepmother and aunt, Barbara lived a long and gracious life of service to her country and family. Services will be private. Dockray & Thomas Funeral Home (781) 828-0811