Barbara J. Jaskela

TOPSFIELD – Barbara J. (Chmielowski) Jaskela, 80, of Topsfield, beloved wife of the late Ronald Jaskela, died peacefully February 4th, 2025 with her loving family by her side at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers.
Born in Salem, she was the daughter of the late Joseph C. and Sophie (Kondracki) Chmielowski. She was raised and educated in Peabody and graduated from Peabody High School in 1962. She earned her degree from Burdett College.
Barbara worked at the Boxford Village School and was later employed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge until she retired.
She had a deep love of her children and grandchildren, and a passion for animals. She was a sports enthusiast and an avid Red Sox fan. In addition, Barbara loved doing crossword and jigsaw puzzles, enjoyed gardening, visiting the ocean, and spending time with family and friends. She had a quick wit, a keen sense of humor, and she will be dearly missed by all.
Barbara is survived by her daughter, Pamela (Schickling) Buckley and her husband, Robert of Bethlehem, NH, her sons, Christian Schickling and his wife, Susan of Madison, NH, Erik Schickling and his partner, Barbara Barry of Hampton, NH and Kane Schickling of Portsmouth, NH, her grandchildren, Adam, Joseph, Paige and Jessica Schickling, her step-grandchildren, Kelly, Kim and Molly Petrillo, her niece, Deborah Baker and her partner, Matthew LaCroix of Cherry Valley, MA, her sister-in-law, Sheila Chmielowski of Charlton, MA, her cousin Benjamin Alhowik, Jr., and his wife Kathryn, her dear friends Carol Furnari and Betty Kerner, and many extended family and friends.
In addition to her husband Ronald, Barbara was preceded in death by her brother, Joseph P. Chmielowski, her cousin Mary Ann (Alhowik) Andrews, and her step-granddaughter Brittany Petrillo.
ARRANGEMENTS: A celebration of Barbara's life will be held at a later date. Assisting the family with the arrangements is O'Donnell Cremations -Funerals - Celebrations, 167 Maple St., (rte 62) DANVERS. Donations in Barbara's memory may be made to the MSPCA-Angell, Nevins Farm, 400 Broadway, Methuen, MA 01844. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com
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