Barbara Lee Ball

LANCASTER-Barbara Lee (Mattson) Ball, passed away peacefully after a brief illness at UMass University Campus in Worcester on November 14th 2025.

She will be deeply missed by many. She leaves behind her daughter Jennifer Lee Nichols (Ball) and granddaughter Stephanie Lee Ball, with whom she lived; many cherished cousins and extended family. She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 24 years, Arnold L. Ball, who died in 1992, and her parents Carl and Gunhild (Ekstrom) Mattson, as well as very close aunts and uncles.

Raised proud of her Swedish/Finnish heritage, amid the depression, Barbara took great care to never waste anything. She took pride in reusing or recycling anything and everything possible and loved thrifting treasures because of it. And if she had an opinion or advice, you bet you’d hear it.

A lifelong Lancaster resident, she was a proud town Girl Scout and later a leader and counselor at Camp Green Eyrie in Harvard. She graduated from Lancaster High School, Class of 1955, and was also a proud alumnus of Becker Junior College.

She reminisced frequently about growing up spending summers on the beaches of Wells and Ogunquit, Maine and working during her high school summers at the Ontio Hotel in Ogunquit. Those summers always seemed to be the very best of her life. The family continued to visit Wells throughout her life, it was a very special place for everyone. She had a passion for skiing and especially her time on Cannon Mountain in New Hampshire.  Additionally, whether it was completing a crossword puzzle out of the paper over coffee or spending time working in the yard or gardens at home, she found happiness in life’s simple pleasures.

Barbara enjoyed a career that she was very proud of in the Health and Safety department of Norton Company in Worcester. Frequently citing the lessons she learned at that job, she cherished the friendships she acquired there.  After getting married she found joy in raising a family and being the best Mormor/Grammy, and caring for her mother as she aged. The importance of family was always paramount.  Later Barbara worked for Lincoln Drug Store in Clinton and later Fitchburg for many years until her retirement.  

A calling hour will be held on Saturday, November 29, 2025 from 10 until 11AM in the McNally & Watson Funeral Home, 304 Church St., Clinton, with a Funeral Service immediately following at 11AM in the funeral home.  Burial will later be held privately at Swedish Cemetery in Worcester.  Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Barbara Ball to: Worcester Animal Rescue League, 139 Holden St., Worcester, MA 01606.  Online condolences may be placed at www.mcnallywatson.com