Barbara Malcolm

Our Beloved mother and grandmother, Barbara Louise Malcolm, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on November 6. She was 99 years old.

"Barbara Malcolm, born on May 8, 1925, in Brockton, Massachusetts, was a creative and inspiring soul who added color to every room she stepped into. She was a woman who loved with an intensity that was palpable, and her loyalty to those she cared for was unwavering. In the words of Maya Angelou, "You can only become truly accomplished at something you love." Barbara was an embodiment of this quote, pouring her love into every aspect of her life.

Barbara grew up on the Cape, later moving to Newton, Massachusetts, where she met her future husband, Richard (Dick). Barbara and Dick bought their first and only house in Littleton, Massachusetts where they raised their 6 children. During her working years, she served diligently as a Secretary to Director of Nursing at River Crest where she made lifelong friends. Even after her retirement, Barbara's creativity knew no bounds. She found joy in the beauty of nature, particularly in owls and butterflies, which often served as inspiration for her ceramic creations. Her love for knitting resulted in countless baby blankets, each lovingly crafted for family members. Being an avid traveler, her journeys took her to enchanting places like Ireland, Paris, and England, enriching her life with diverse cultures and experiences.

Barbara's passion for gardening led her to become a member of the Littleton Garden Club, where she spent many delightful hours creating beauty and sharing her knowledge with others. She had a love for swimming and yoga. Her skill as an impressive seamstress brought joy to her family, who were often the recipients of her beautiful hand-sewn clothing. She was also a member of St. Anne's Sodality. Barbara was an avid New England sports fan, especially the New England Patriots and Boston Red Sox.

Barbara was a devoted mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Her grandchildren referred to her as “Muna”. A special name given to her by her first-born grandson. Muna was considered to be the matriarch of the Malcolm family. She was loved and admired by all for her incredible strength, wisdom, strong values and her unconditional love and support. In her later years, Muna’s passion was her great grandchildren. They gave her a new purpose in life. She was their biggest cheerleader, and she looked forward to seeing them and watching them grow. Muna will always be remembered as a bright light to all who knew and loved her.

Barbara is survived by her loving children and spouses, Deborah (Arthur Baker), Richard Jr., Steven (Barbara), Jay (Janet Ann), Pamela (Gilbert Carney), Jan (Daniel Shanahan). She will be deeply missed by her 17 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren. Barbara was preceded in death by her father, Walter Lewis, her mother, Maude Lewis (Kendrick), and her devoted husband, Richard Malcolm, sisters Cynthia, Joanne and Katherine, her grandson Chad and her brother-in-law Neil Malcolm.

Barbara's family would like to especially thank the aide and Barbara’s friend, Ginger for the beyond wonderful care she gave Barbara, along with Always There care team who diligently provided Barbara with the best care, and lastly would like to thank Ascend Hospice, who made Barbara unbelievably comfortable and at peace in her last days.

Her life will be celebrated on Thursday, November 14, 2024, with a visitation at 10:00 am until 11:30 am at Badger Funeral Homes Inc, 347 King Street, Littleton, Massachusetts, followed by a funeral service at 11:30 am in the funeral home.

In the spirit of Barbara's love for stories and shared memories, we encourage friends and family to leave their memories and upload photos of Barbara to the memorial page. As we remember Barbara, let us celebrate the inspiring, loving, and loyal woman she was, and the lasting impact she has left on all of us. Barbara lived her life to the fullest, and her spirit will live on in the hearts of those who knew her."

Arrangements are under the care of Badger Funeral Home, 347 King St. Littleton, MA.978-486-3709 www.badgerfuneral.com