Barbara J. Doucette

Barbara Doucette Obituary Barbara Jean Doucette (née Furman), 94, of Wilmington, MA, died after a brief period of declining health on October 21, 2025, at home surrounded by loved ones.
Born in Newark, New Jersey on April 6, 1931 to Irene Yvonne (née Brewster) and John F. Furman, Jr. Barbara grew up in Rocky Hill, Connecticut. She graduated from Wethersfield High School in 1949 and completed her nursing studies in 1952 at the Saint Francis Hospital School of Nursing in Hartford, CT where she made lifelong friends. She was a longtime employee of Datacon, Inc. in Burlington, MA.
In 1954, Barbara married Robert F. Doucette and together they raised three children, John, Bill, and Lorry, in the home they built together on Ledgewood Road in Wilmington, and where she would take her last breath 70 years later.
Barbara found peace and wonder outdoors and led an active lifestyle, holding and using her driver's license until the very end. From afternoons gardening at home practicing her love of flowers, to going for a drive to take in the colors, sounds, and feel of the ocean, Barbara was happiest breathing fresh air under a clear sky or marveling at the passing details of a sunset with friends and family. For her, these details were meant to be shared and cherished.
After the premature death of her husband Robert in 1990, Barbara found joy in traveling across the country with her dear friends Phyllis Garrett, Peg Doane, Mary Boylen, and Jean Hughson. Whether it was on a ferry to Alaska or a drive up 95 to Gloucester, no detail of nature went unnoticed or underappreciated.
With grit and compassion, Barbara was the anchor for her entire family. She was pre-deceased by her parents, brother Jack, husband Robert, grandson Robert, and her brother-in-law Harry Doucette & his wife Anna of Medford. Barbara is survived by her children: John of Wendell, MA, Bill of Belton, TX, daughter Lorry and husband Bob Chase of Wilmington; former daughter in law Lauren Doucette of Bridgewater, NH; grandchildren Rachael Boyle (Scott) of Londonderry, NH, Jack Doucette of Bridgewater, NH, Shelly Doucette of Wilmington, MA, Cory Doucette of Gatesville, TX, Danielle Brown (Rob) of Londonderry NH, and Marissa Chase (Will Craig) of Manchester, NH, great-grandchildren Macy, Jake, Mila, Charlotte, Braden, Cameron, Benjamin and Adalynn; and many nieces and nephews. She will be dearly missed by her loving family.
Family and friends will gather at the Nichols Funeral Home, 187 Middlesex Ave., (Rte. 62), Wilmington on Wednesday, October 29th from 9:30-10:30 a.m. immediately followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Thomas of Villanova, 126 Middlesex Ave., Wilmington, at 11:00 a.m. Interment to follow in Wildwood Cemetery, Wilmington.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the World Wildlife Foundation, 1250 24th Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20037 protect.worldwildlife.org or to PBS, 1225 South Clark Street, Arlington, VA 22202.