Barbara A. (Driscoll) Galvin

Barbara A. (Driscoll) Galvin, of Saugus, formerly of Melrose, died peacefully surrounded by family on July 15, 2017 at the age of 84. Barbara was born in Chelsea, MA on November 27, 1932 to William & Agnes (Lynn) Driscoll. She was raised in Melrose and graduated from Melrose High School. Barbara went on to obtain a nursing degree from Chelsea Memorial Nursing School after high school. After becoming a registered nurse, Barbara went to work at Melrose-Wakefield Hospital. She became a devoted wife and mother and enjoyed spending her spare time sewing & knitting, as well as passing the knowledge to her family and friends. She was also very supportive of members of the armed services. Following the September 11th attacks, Barbara and a few of her friends felt the need to do something for the troops, so she helped start a knitting group at the Saugus Senior Center. Barbara was a driving force and worked tirelessly for this project for over 15 years. She helped grow the initial group of three women, to over thirty volunteers who call themselves the "Knitizens." The members have made over 30,000 knitted, crocheted and sewn goods, such as, hats, socks and blankets for the men and women serving our country and for VA hospitals. The group was featured on a Fox News segment, "Real People, Real Stories." Barbara was fond of saying that her knitted gifts were "a hug from home." She was also a passionate Patriots fan, never missing a game. Family always came first for Barbara, she loved them beyond words. Her happiest times were up at the family cottage on Bonny Eagle Lake in Maine. She spent seventy years going there and was able to travel there one last time this summer. Barbara will be missed by all who had the privilege to know her. She was the beloved wife of the late Paul J. Galvin Sr. Loving mother of Lynda A. Galvin of Saugus, Paul J. Galvin Jr. & his wife Karen of Methuen, and Catherine M. Wilson & her husband Daniel of Tewksbury. Cherished grandmother of Colleen, Kerry, Kristen, Courtney, and Daniel. Proud great-grandmother of Lincoln. Predeceased by her brother Richard J. Driscoll. Visiting Hours will be held on Wednesday, July 19, 2017 from 4-8 PM at the Gately Funeral Home, 79 W. Foster St., Melrose. Funeral Procession from the Gately Funeral Home on Thursday, July 20, 2017 at 9 AM, followed by a 10 AM Funeral Mass at Blessed Sacrament Church, 14 Summer St., Saugus. Relatives & friends are respectfully invited to attend. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice Of Southern Maine, Gosnell Memorial Hospice House, 11 Hunnewell Rd, Scarborough, Me 04074 or Local Heroes, 26 Allen Park Drive, Wilmington, MA 01887 (c/o Louis Cimaglia)