Barbara Hale Negus

Barbara Hale Negus, 97, of Mansfield, MA, passed away peacefully at the Pond Home in Wrentham, MA on August 4, 2025 surrounded by family and friends.

Barbara was born in Attleboro, MA to the late Elsie Hale and late William Hale. She grew up in North Attleboro, MA and graduated from North Attleboro High School in 1945, and was graduation essayist as third in her class.

Barbara enjoyed a fulfilling career as an Administration Assistant, working at the former Evans Case Company, Kendall Mills, and for many years with the King Philip Regional School District, where she retired in 1986 as Executive Secretary to the Superintendent of Schools. She was known throughout the system as the friendly "Mrs. F". After retiring, she continued serving as secretary to the King Philip School Committee until June 1995.

An avid traveler, Barbara visited 49 US states, over 40 countries and territories spanning five continents. She was lucky enough to visit Bermuda, Alaska, Hawaii, Europe, many National Parks, and even took a memorable trip to the Galapagos Islands. She particularly enjoyed small riverboat cruises and had many wonderful adventures with her husbands and friends. Although travelling extensively in her retirement years, Barbara thoroughly enjoyed her full lifetime residency in the "Greater Attleboro" area. Relaxation time- summering at her West Dennis, Cape Cod house for many years, and at family vacation homes at Sebago Lake, ME, also left many great memories.

Barbara will be remembered for her kindness and caring, and for her love for family and friends. In her spare time, she loved reading and was rarely seen without a book in her lap. She enjoyed knitting and was often found with knitting needles nearby. A special fondness for cats led her to adopt many kitties in her lifetime.

Barbara also loved church work and was an active member of the Plainville United Methodist Church for over 70 years, serving as secretary to the Administrative Board/Church Council for over 21 years.

Barbara was blessed with a rich family life through three marriages (just shy of 25 years, 13 years, and just shy of 31 years, respectively). She is survived by her beloved husband Leslie E. Negus of Mansfield, MA, whom she married on September 2, 1994. She married Elton Franklin in 1948, building a home in Plainville and residing in Plainville, remaining after his death in 1973. She later married Walter Fink of Plainville and remained living there after his passing in 1992, until she married Les and moved to Mansfield.

Barbara is survived by her daughter, Elizabeth Franklin Jacobson, and her husband Karl Jacobson; grandson Aron Jacobson and his wife Kristen, great -grandchildren Hanna and Cole; grandson Mikael Jacobson and his wife Jacklyn and great-grandchildren Paige and Isak.

Also, survived by the family of Leslie Negus, stepson Russell Negus and his wife Linda and step grandson Mitchell Negus, PhD, his significant other, Amanda Lewis, PhD, and step grandson Christopher Negus and his wife Amber.

And is survived by the family of Walter Fink, stepdaughter Elaine Fink McAlice and her husband Brian McAlice, step grandson Kyle McAlice and his wife Jenna, step-great grandchildren, Charlotte, Colton, and Callie; step grandson Cody McAlice. She was predeceased by stepson Robert Fink.

For the past six years Barbara was lovingly cared for while residing at the Pond Home. Barbara's family wants to thank all Pond Home and Hope Hospice staff for their love, care and compassion. Many thanks to resident Adrienne for being such a dear, special friend.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend visiting hours at the Sperry-McHoul-Pichi Funeral Home, 15 Grove Street, North Attleboro, from 4:00 to 6:00 pm on Thursday, August 14, 2025. The funeral will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, August 15, 2025 at the Plainville United Methodist Church, 16 East Bacon Street, Plainville, MA. A collation will be held after the service in the church vestry. Burial will be held at the Plainville Cemetery for the family at a time to be determined.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy can be made in Barbara's name to: The Mansfield Animal Shelter, in care of; Mansfield Shelter Friends, Inc., PO Box 25, Mansfield, MA 02048 or to: Pond Home, 289 East Street, Wrentham, MA payable to Pond Home - on check memo line name Pond Home accounts to be applied to; foundation, employees fund, activities fund. Donations in Barbara's name may also be made to a charity of your choice.

To sign an online guestbook, please visit www.sperrymchoulpichi.com.