Barbara L. MORSE

MORSE, Barbara L. Born on July 25, 1943 to the late Nathaniel B. Morse and Alice C. (Kilpatrick), passed away on January 23, 2023, at the age of 79. She grew up in West Hartford, CT, and earned her BA at Connecticut College.

After starting her career at Knopf, Barbara embarked upon a remarkable career in healthcare and the pharmaceutical industry. As Administrator to the Director of the Family Health Program Division for Massachusetts, she oversaw state-wide clinics and programs designed to support high-risk mothers, infants, and children. Barbara joined Advantage Health Corporation as Assistant Hospital Administrator for New England Rehabilitation Hospital, later becoming Vice President of Marketing, where her focus was the expansion of rehabilitation facilities in the Northeast. During her tenure at Copley Pharmaceutical Inc., Barbara directed several divisions as Vice President for Administration and Corporate Communications, as well as serving as strategic counsel to the CEO.

In her "retirement", Barbara kept active, starting her own Management Consulting business while immersing herself in mastering French language and literature. Her love of flowers, art, and design inspired her to later create her own interior and floral design business which she aptly named, "Rooms and Blooms".

Committed to protecting the integrity of conservation areas and the historic district, she served on several local grass roots organizations. Barbara was a member of the Board of Trustees of the Worcester County Horticultural Society which owns and operates the current New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill. As a Board member and Vice-Chair, she chaired the search for a new CEO and helped establish the Garden's 30-year Master and 5-year Strategic Plan. Barbara additionally sat on the Board of The Arthur M. and Martha R. Pappas Foundation where she was known for her ability to identify well managed and impactful nonprofit organizations the Foundation could support.

Barbara was a devoted family member adored by four generations. She was a cherished friend, godmother, "adopted" aunt, colleague, and mentor. Her love of life, art, literature, and gardens were just some of the gifts she shared with all who knew her. Barbara touched so many with her compassionate, thoughtful, and generous spirit.

Barbara is survived by her loving siblings, Susan Campion, William Morse and Christine Olwel;l as well as brothers-in-law, Paul Campion, James Olwell; and sister-in-law, Patricia Morse. She was a beloved aunt to twenty nieces, grandnieces, nephews, and grandnephews. She was a devoted niece to Ellen (Kilpatrick) Cone and a loving cousin. Her nephew, Christopher Morse, predeceased her.

A Celebration of Life Service to honor Barbara will be held in the spring. The family requests that anyone wishing to honor Barbara's memory consider a donation to the New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill or a charity of their choosing.