Barbara Theresa Taylor

Barbara Theresa Taylor (nee Sullivan), age 98, passed away peacefully in her home of 76 years in Marshfield, MA, on Thursday, March 5, 2026. Barbara was born in Boston on June 7, 1927 and raised in Jamaica Plain. She was the sixth of seven children born into a large Irish Catholic American family, whose parents had immigrated to America in the early 1900’s. Like her mother, she was determined to make it to 100, but fate had other plans. She took great pride in researching her Irish roots and parents’ experiences as newcomers to the Boston area. Barbara held dual citizenship and enjoyed traveling and studying in Ireland.

Barbara, a registered nurse, met her future husband, James J. Taylor, when he was a patient at Boston City Hospital. Together, they had three children: James, Pamela Taylor Beals and Brian (Gail). She leaves behind her grandchildren, Zachary and Mollie Taylor of Philadelphia and Benjamin Taylor of New York City. She also leaves behind Jim’s ex-wife, Susan Taylor, of Cherry Hill, NJ. Also, she leaves her grandchildren Grace Taylor of Marshfield, MA and Rose Taylor from Baltimore, MD. She was predeceased by her husband James J. Taylor and by her son-in-law Peter Beals.

Barbara was a school nurse in Marshfield for 32 years and enjoyed taking care of children. She worked as a Psychiatric Nurse at Danvers State Hospital while attending the Carney School of Nursing in 1948. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Art from Bridgewater State College in 1989. She earned a Certificate of Gerontology from U Mass/Boston in 1999 (claiming she wanted to be ready for old age). In 1992, Barbara earned a Masters of Education in Counseling from Cambridge College. Barbara retired from Marshfield Public Schools in 1996 as head nurse at the high school. She received multiple awards for her service, including the Massachusetts House of Representatives Honor, the Marshfield Public Schools Certificate of Honor, the Plymouth County Educational Association Recognition, and the Massachusetts Teachers Association Distinguished Service Certificate. During contract negotiations, she was instrumental in getting a nurse in every school and equal pay for nurses.

Barbara’s passions included reading the Boston Globe daily (especially the Irish Racing Sheet), the New York Times on Sunday, gardening, collecting antiques, painting, and keeping in touch with her family. She loved reading non-fiction and traveling when she was young. As a relative appropriately wrote, “She will be remembered as notably sharp, distinctly kind, and having an almost old-world courtesy and demeanor.” Hers was a life well-lived.

Visiting hours will be held on Saturday, March 14, 2026 from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. at the  MacDonald Funeral Home, 1755 Ocean Street in Marshfield. A funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Christine’s Church, 1295 Main Street in Marshfield at 10:30 a.m. There will be a gathering of family and friends afterward at E2 Kitchen Bar, 459 Plain Street, Marshfield.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Barbara’s memory may be sent to Nurses Honor Guard, PO Box 357, Kingston, MA 02364.