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Gertrude Barker Obituary
She graduated from Swampscott High School and Salem Hospital School of Nursing. She received her doctorate in health education in 1967 from Boston University. She also holds an alumna status at Harvard University, where she studied health systems management. A native of Swampscott, she was residing at Lasell Village in Newton at the time of her death.
Dr. Barker opened the first baccalaureate nursing program at Lowell State College in 1968. She added four more baccalaureate health-profession majors and a graduate nursing program at what is now UMass Lowell.
She pioneered "physical assessment" by nurses in the graduate program, a controversial practice because previously nurses did not use stethoscopes or other physicians' instruments, according to family members. Physical assessment has now become an accepted practice by nurses trained in this specialization.
She is survived by a son, Frederick Barker Jr. of Tewksbury; a daughter, Diane Barker Carr of Lexington; a sister, Marion Morse of Lynn; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Gertrude Barker
Jacqueline Paradise
December 11, 2006
I remember Dr. Barker when I started in 1972 at Lowell Technological Institute. Dr. Barker was a kind and considerate person. She will be surely missed.
Ann (Dolan) Kerr
November 29, 2006
Sorry to hear about the loss of your mother and grandmother. I was one of her students in the first Baccalaureate Nursing Class at Lowell State College, now known as UMass Lowell.
Shirley (Kenyon) Colby
November 27, 2006
Diane and Fred:
So sorry about the loss of your mother. I remember her not only from UMass Lowell, but also from summers at Lake Shore Park. Those were fond memories.
Jacob (Jay) Lam
November 20, 2006
Dr. Barker was truly a pioneer in her field and I was sadden to hear of her passing. She was a wonderful colleague and she will be remembered.
November 17, 2006
My fondest memory of Trudy was her active participation in a Badminton course that I taught in the Mahoney Gym.
Denise Legault(retired Assoc.AD and
Assoc. Prof. of Physical
Education)
John Catallozzi
November 17, 2006
Please accept my deepest sympathies.
Many fond memories of Trudy
Ted Namm
November 16, 2006
It is with deep sadness that I learn about the passing of "Trudy" Barker. Her leadership by example was germaine to the building of the College of Health Professions (now the School of Health and Environment) and we all owe her our gratitude.
Steve Moses
November 16, 2006
Dr. Barker was there from the start in creating nursing programs and a health professions college that now lives on as the School of Health and Environment. All of us at UMass Lowell have lost an industrious pioneer who carved the stone upon which many of our educational programs rest to this day.
Karen Devereaux Melillo
November 16, 2006
Please accept my deepest sympathies.
Claire Chamberlain
November 16, 2006
Trudy was a wonderful innovator and educator. She will be missed.
Susan Koczarski
November 16, 2006
I work at U Mass Lowell, but started here in 1971 when it was Lowell State College and remember Dr. Barker very well... she will be remembered with fond memories....
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