Barbara Salem

Barbara J. Salem

Worcester, MA - Barbara J. (Solomon) Salem, 84, of Worcester, passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 11, 2016 at UMass Hospital in Worcester, surrounded by her loving family. She was predeceased by her husband, Richard D. Salem in 1994.

Barbara is survived by her loving family, including her devoted daughter, Susan J. Evangelista and her husband Jay, of Southborough, owner of Dino's Restaurant; the two grandchildren that filled her heart with joy, Joseph L. Evangelista and Nina B. Evangelista; several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her four brothers, Daniel, Robert, Gordon, and David Solomon. Barbara was born in Seekonk, Massachusetts daughter of the late, Daniel and Ethel (Phillips) Solomon.

Barbara's life was full of travel and adventure. She grew up between Seekonk and East Providence, Rhode Island, graduating from East Providence High School.

As a new graduate, full of spunk and with the singing voice of an angel, she set out for Summer Stock Theatre and appeared at the Cape Cod Melody Tent. She had greater aspirations and later moved to the Big Apple. Her adventurous soul told her there was more to see, so she began a seven year stint working aboard the SS Brazil cruise ship, where she traveled the world and saw such places as Europe, Africa, South America and the Middle East.

New England was her home and by some chance she had the good fortune to meet the love of her life, Richard. He asked her to marry him and in 1965, she came to Worcester to be with him and created a beautiful family. She spent 17 joyous years working as the Dining Room Manager for the Worcester Club. She became active in the parish at Saint George Orthodox Cathedral and was a member of the Cathedral's Women's Club, and sang in the choir for many years. Barbara never lost her love of singing and sang for the Worcester Chorus and Worcester Light Opera Company. She loved to cook Lebanese delicacies for her Joey and Nina, travel with her daughter Susan and her family to Aruba, and enjoyed spending time with her friends at the Worcester Senior Center.

She will be remembered mostly as a loving mother and grandmother. Family was everything to her and her warm heart, loving smile, and feisty spirit will be remembered by her loved ones for years to come.

Calling Hours for Barbara will be held on Monday, August 15, from 4 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at Saint George Orthodox Cathedral, 30 Anna Street, Worcester, and again on Tuesday morning, August 16, from 9 a.m. until 9:45 a.m. Followed by her Funeral Liturgy at 10 a.m. in The Cathedral, Fr. Milad Selim, presiding. Interment will follow in Hope Cemetery, Worcester.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Endowment Fund for Saint George Orthodox Cathedral, 30 Anna Street, Worcester, MA 01604.

There is an online guest book for messages and condolences at

Mercadante Funeral Home & Chapel, Worcester, is assisting Barbara's family.



www.mercadantefuneral.com