Barbara S. Alsen

Barbara D. Alsen (Smith), 87, formerly of Beverly, Gloucester and Sudbury, passed away on Friday February 10, 2023 in her home with loved ones beside her. Born in Boston on April 3, 1935, she was the daughter of Paul and Lila (Paul) Smith. Barbara was predeceased by her husband of 60 years, Carl W. Alsen III.
Barbara graduated from Sargent College at Boston University, with a degree in Physical Therapy. In 1956 she married Carl and they spent two years of his military service in New Mexico. She and Carl raised five children in Sudbury. While there, Barbara was active with the League of Women Voters and Memorial Congregational Church, worked at Sudbury Pines Nursing Home and Emerson Hospital in the Home Health Care Department until she retired. In 1991 Barbara and Carl moved to Gloucester where she remained until 2016 when she moved to Colonial Gardens in Beverly.
While in Gloucester, Barbara was active at the Trinity Congregational Church, preparing lunches for the soup kitchen, singing in the choir, and volunteering with the Thrift Shop. Barbara was an enthusiastic ambassador for Gloucester Harbor, a volunteer driver, a volunteer for the local cat shelter and an ombudsman for the local nursing home community. One of their favorite activities was opening their home to visitors to Gloucester when traditional accommodations were full.
Barbara and Carl were able to do some much desired traveling after retirement, touring Europe and the Galapagos. They especially loved visiting friends and family along the way. Barbara is survived by her loving children, David Alsen and wife, Sheila of Ayer, Leanne Waldie and husband, John of Fryeburg, ME, Susan Keenan and husband Mark of Conway, NH, Sharon Meader and husband John of Shrewsbury and Wendy Cookson and husband Robert of Irasburg, VT, 13 grandchildren, 5 great granddaughters and several nieces and nephews.
Her funeral service will be at Campbell Funeral Home, 525 Cabot Street, Beverly, on Friday, February 17th at 11am. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Visiting hours prior to the service from 10am to 11am. Contributions may be made in Barbara's memory to Heifer International or Gloucester Council on Aging. Information, directions and condolences at www.campbellfuneral.com.