Lucille Helen Barrell

"A great soul serves everyone all the time. A great soul never dies. It brings us together again and again." 

- Maya Angelou

Beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. Cuddler of babies. Outrageous flirt and lap-sitter. Minder of everyone’s beeswax. Queen Bee of wherever she happened to be at the moment. Doer of what needed to be done. An unswerving caretaker and constant source of comfort to those in need. 

In the early morning hours of December 27th, 2024, in her 83rd year, she lay down the infirmities that came with age, coupled with the weight of years of service to those whom she held most dear, so that she could move on to whatever next great thing there is.

Of course, in the wake of her passing, those left behind are only now beginning to come to grips of what our lives will be like without her elemental presence. 

Those left to cherish her memory include her loving children, Michael Curtiss, Kelly Dixon, and Brian Barrell; sisters Beverly Stevens and Judy Shattuck; son-in-law Butch Dixon; grandchildren Christopher, Aaron, Spencer and Logan; great-grandchildren Leah, Neveah, Laura and Elvis; granddaughters-in-law Lindsay Dixon and Danielle Hammond; with many nieces, nephews, and cousins, and too many friends to count, all of whom will remember her for her passion, generosity and kindness. 

Lucy was born on May 13, 1941, in Quechee, VT to Webster and Sarah Davis. She negotiated a difficult childhood, the challenges of marriage and children, and a divorce before coming into her own as an independent, strong woman who crafted a life for herself beyond the traditional roles that were available to her at the time, finding new ways to be of use, and finding new love and companionship with her cherished Bob, who gave her years of affection and adventure before predeceasing her. 

Lucy’s legacy will continue through the lives she touched and the lessons she taught: show up, be of use, be kind… and take absolutely no nonsense from anyone, ever. 

In the wake of her death, what remains is ours to do: to get ourselves and those who loved her to where we need to be, while we tend to the business of getting Lucy where she needs to go. 

There's a line in a book that goes "In the end, we are all stories." 

Stories are what remain when everything else is gone. 

There are more stories that involve Lucy than we could ever hope to hear in a lifetime. 

And right down to the very last word, each and every story about Lucille Barrell will be the best story we ever heard. 

That's her legacy. And what makes her eternal.

All are invited to spend time honoring Lucy at a memorial gathering Sunday, January 5, 2025 from 1 pm-5 pm at the Pellerin Event Center, 453 Route 4, Enfield NH. Bring a dish of light fare to share. 

And, of course, a story. 

Lucille Helen (Davis) Barrell 

May 13, 1941- December 27, 2024