Mary L. Barber

BARBER, Mary L. (Lavigne) Mary L. (Lavigne) Barber, 69, wife of the late Leon H. Barber Sr. passed away Tuesday, (January 20, 2009) at Middlesex Hospital after a long illness. Born in Marlborough, Nov. 3, 1939, she was the daughter of the late Dennis J. Lavigne and Louise Lavigne Cartwright. Mary had worked many years as a phlebotomist for Middlesex Hospital. Her greatest joy was working and caring for the family farm that was established in 1856. She had a love of nature and loved working beside the love of her life, her husband Leon "Chunky" Barber. Many will remember the Clark Hill Farm as a gathering place for holidays and special occasions or just a continually ready cup of coffee and conversation with a wise and loving "Chunky" and the bubbly personality of Mary Barber. Mary will be missed by her three sons, Dwayne Ducharme and wife Pam of Texas, Joseph Barber and wife Cathy of East Hampton, and Leon H. Barber Jr. and wife Cindy of Iowa; seven grandchildren, Michele, Kenneth, Jessica, Daisy, Michael, Shane, and Brandy; five great grandchildren, Erin, Ashlynd, Madison, Ryan and Riley; three brothers, Dennis Lavigne Jr., Charles "Buddy" Lavigne and Albert Lavigne, all of East Hampton; three sisters, Leanna Lavigne of East Hampton, Margaret Braun of Covington, KY, and Alice "Janie Langlois of Union SC; a step sister Lottie Burger of East Hampton; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. Mary will also be tremendously missed by her friend and confidant Dolly Bromley. Dolly had unselfishly dedicated many hours and years to assure Mary's comfort and well being during every aspect of Mary's illness and beyond. They were better known as "Frick and Frack". Besides her parents and husband, she was predeceased by her daughter Christine; two brothers, Arthur and James Lavigne; three sisters, Kathleen Lavigne, Jackie Chester and Theresa McArthur; and her grandson Chad. Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 24, at 10 a.m. in the Spencer Funeral Home, 112 Main St., East Hampton. Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home on Friday evening, from 5-8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Weiss Hospice Unit, c/o The Development Office, 55 Crescent St., Middletown, CT 06457. To leave online condolences please visit www.spencerfuneralho meinc.com.