Barbara Nutter

1947 - 2021

Lunenburg

Barbara Dale (Hammond) Nutter, 73, a resident of Lunenburg, MA, and formerly of Dracut and Nashua, NH, died Saturday, February 20th. She was the beloved wife of Norman E. Nutter who adored and cared for her these past 4 years.

She was born in Dracut on December 4, 1947 and was the daughter of the late Melville G. Hammond and Patricia L. (Coffin) Hammond. She received her education in Dracut schools and was a graduate of Dracut High School in 1966. She earned a Word Processing/Secretarial Diploma and later an Associate Degree both from Hesser College in Manchester, NH.

Barbara, as she was known by colleagues and friends, or Dale, as she was known by family, was a multifaceted woman. She was a driven professional, creative entrepreneur, gentle caretaker, and fierce protector of those she loved.

Barbara's career spanned a great many roles including administrative work at hospitals, a fish buyer at Commodore Foods, and ultimately a 25-year career at Sanders Associates which later became BAE Systems. She started at Sanders in 1984 as a Procurement Secretary, worked her way up to manager of the Graphic Arts department, and in the 1990's transitioned to Security where she spent the remainder of her professional career passionate about protecting our nation's secrets and delivering excellence in security education and training.

As the daughter of a retired Sergeant Major who served 37 years in the United States Army, Barbara was deeply proud to serve her country by supporting the warfighter through her work at BAE. Throughout her quarter century at BAE she maintained many friendships and after retiring in 2009, she remained forever grateful for those who mentored her and those she was able to help along her journey.

Outside of work Dale was a devoted daughter, sister, mother, and grandmother. She tirelessly nursed her youngest daughter as a toddler through years of cancer treatment to a full and happy recovery. Decades later she sat at the bedside of her eldest daughter who sadly lost her battle with cancer. Throughout it all Dale drew strength from her family, friends, and faith.

Most of all Dale loved spending time with her family and friends. She loved hosting and attending family gatherings, having her grandchildren for sleepovers, and playing Scrabble with her mom, sisters, and daughters. She also found joy in creativity both on the computer and in traditional forms. She ran her own graphic design business on the side for years, enjoyed knitting, crocheting, sewing, and playing piano. She also loved to cook and feed everyone who came to visit. She had a wonderfully warm heart and home, and was known for giving world class hugs.

Dale is lovingly remembered by her husband Norman E. Nutter and his family, as well as her former husband Ronald L. Martin and their children Shawn R. Martin and his wife Lucie of Merrimack, NH, son-in-law George Bachelder, husband of their late daughter Joyce J. L. (Martin) Bachelder of Greenville and New Ipswich, NH, and Melody P. Martin-Gordon and her wife Amy Gordon of Merrimack, NH; five grandchildren Sarah D. (Bachelder) Coutu, Seth R. Bachelder, Mackenzie S. Martin, Julianna L. Martin, and Edison M. Gordon; two great grandchildren Genevieve V. Coutu and Paisley D. Bachelder; three sisters Evelyn J. Vignola of Leominster, MA, Joyce E. Bellefeuille and her husband Richard of Hudson, NH, and Nora P. Anderson and her husband Bruce of East Brookfield, VT; and several nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Childhood Cancer Lifeline of New Hampshire https://childhoodcancerlifeline.org/donate.htm or to America's VetDogs https://www.vetdogs.org/ which is proudly supported by NCMS, the Society of Industrial Security Professionals an organization Barbara was a member for many years.

A private celebration of Barbara Dale's life will be held later when most who would like to attend have been able to receive a COVID-19 vaccination.



View the online memorial for Barbara Nutter