Barbara Ann Reed

Barbara Ann (Connor) Reed, 88, died on Sunday, October 26th, 2025, surrounded by her family. Born in New Bedford, Massachusetts, to Tessie and Joseph Connor, on August 2nd, 1937, Barbara graduated from Holy Family High School and Bridgewater State Teachers College.

Barbara was an elementary school teacher who nurtured each student, and her empathetic heart reached beyond the classroom. She lived her philosophy that everyone deserved respect and attention; she could not pass by a homeless person without handing them $3 and saying a prayer for them. She was most devoted to her husband, children, sons-in-law, and grandchildren. She loved a good dollar store and her beloved Steinmart! She was a talented and avid crocheter, needlepointer, and knitter. For years, she made 100+ hats a year to donate and to give to her children and grandchildren and their friends.

Barbara was pre-deceased by her husband, Bill Reed, of 56 years (2019) and her brother Walter Connor (2020), and survived by her three daughters and nine grandchildren: Katie Reed-Oliveira of Raleigh, NC and her children Meagan, Erin, and Ryan; Carol Reed-Chan and her husband Steve of San Diego, CA and their children Maggie, Connor, and Sarah; and Liz Gualtieri-Reed and her husband Tom, of Chapel Hill, NC and their children Riley, Maeve, and Declan; her sister, Joann Conti of FL; and many nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be held at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Durham, North Carolina on Saturday, November 15 at 1:00pm. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to PORCH, an organization that feeds families (https://givebutter.com/BReed).

In honor of Barbara, give $3 to the next person in need you see!