Barbara Mae Connors

1936 - 2017

EPSOM – The Reverend Deacon Barbara Mae Connors passed away peacefully after a long illness Saturday, June 3, 2017, at Epsom Healthcare Center, Epsom. She was born on Sept. 1, 1936, in Portland, Ore., to the late John and Ethel Sayles of Scappoose, Ore. Her fondness and compassion for people inspired her to become a registered nurse. Her deep commitment led her to work for needy refugees though CARE in Cambodia. After fulfilling her tour, she relocated to Giessen, Germany, to be with Major David Connors, of the United States Army, whom she had met at a New York City Broadway show years prior. In November 1963, they were married and soon returned to New England to raise their family. While in Norwich, Vt., she worked in maternity at Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital. While in Contoocook and Warner she worked as a visiting nurse, in maternity and the ER at New London Hospital, and then at the Children's Psychiatric Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock. She took in three additional children, David, John and Joanie, until they were able to join their biological mother in Boston; and then, Frank, until he graduated from high school.

After all her natural and extended children were on their own, Barbara attained a Masters of Psychology at New England College, and a Masters of Divinity at Andover-Newton Theological School, Boston. In the mid 90's, she returned to Oregon to assist her elderly father to his death. In December 1996, she became an ordained Deacon of the Episcopal Church. During this time, she continued to provide care to the less fortunate and founded two half-way houses for the mentally ill, served as Chaplin at Oregon State Penitentiary, while also counseling and providing Parish Nurse Ministry services to multi-denominational churches. Throughout her entire life, Barbara genuinely touched every person she met. She will long be remembered and cherished by everyone who knew her.

Barbara is survived by her daughter, Christiana Connors; her son, Daniel Connors, wife, Laura and granddaughters, Cara and Natalie, David, John, Joanie and Frank; her sister, Judy Steinberg; her dearest friends, Ruth Hezinger and Olivia Cole.

A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, July 22, at 11 a.m., at St Andrews Episcopal Church, 354 Main St., Hopkinton.

To sign an online guestbook please visit chadwickfuneralservice.com.