Barbara Irvin Stovold

Barbara was born in Boston on July 9th,1934 to Herbert A. and Viola (Dauphinee) Bean and grew up in Dorchester, MA.

Her active involvement in Boston Assembly #1 of the Rainbow for Girls led to her position as Worthy Advisor in 1953 and to an amazing and lifelong friendship circle with Laura Walsh, Shirley Dunlap, Marie Moustakas and Peggy MacRae ~ affectionately known as "The Girls."

Barbara graduated from Dorchester High for Girls where she enjoyed being a cheerleader. She received her Administrative Secretary Certification from Boston University in 1954. Following her education, she excelled as Secretary and Administrative Assistant in several area businesses including the Building and Trades Union (Quincy, MA) and Colonial Federal Savings Bank (Wollaston, MA) where, after a long tenure as Secretary to the Bank President, she retired early and relocated to Florida to care for her aging parents. She volunteered for many years on the Board of Directors for Aversana at Hammock Bay in Naples, Florida. Barbara returned home to Massachusetts just shy of four years ago where her loving and devoted family was blessed to be able to take care of her. Throughout her life she delighted in music, dancing and animals and was a fan of Boston sports teams and the Globetrotters.

Throughout her teens and early adulthood Barbara was particularly dedicated to Christian Endeavor at the Pilgrim Congregational Church of Dorchester where, in June of 1956 she married George R Irvin(e), Jr. Although their marriage ended after 20+ years, the paths of life brought them back together years later and their rekindled friendship and love blessed them and their family for the next 30 years.

Barbara volunteered with the YMCA where she taught swimming lessons to physically impaired children and loved to reminisce about teaching her sweetest and dearest student, Angela.

Barbara was awarded a commendation by the American Red Cross following her life-saving rescue of a dear friend by using the Heimlich Maneuver.

Barbara exemplified a truly caring heart ~ dedicated to her family and friends ~ so often putting the needs of others ahead of her own. She was a very special lady - showering her kindness, love and support to all those she met and possessing the rare and beautiful talent of making everyone around her feel appreciated, loved and special. She filled her daughters' hearts so often when calling them her pride and joy and often delighted family and caretakers by telling them, "You must be an angel sent from God because I can hear your wings fluttering." So many people told her that when she smiled, she lit up the whole room. Barbara's wit, smile, humor, laughter, friendship and love will be greatly missed.

Barbara is survived by: Her partner George Irvin of Marshfield, MA; Her beloved daughters, the lights of her life, Pamela (Irvin) Drouin and her husband Phil of Marshfield, MA and Laurie (Irvin) Padula and her husband Peter of Franklin, MA; Her cherished and adored grandchildren Philip Drouin Jr and his wife Laurel (McLaughlin) of East Bridgewater, MA, Elizabeth Anne Drouin of Carver, MA, Peter F Padula of Franklin, MA, Bradley Padula and his girlfriend Tasha Dutil of Dorchester, MA and Daniel Padula and his fiancée Sarah Cole of Bellingham, MA.

A public Celebration of Life is planned for 12:00pm on Saturday, October 5th, 2024 at the First Congregational Church, 1981 Ocean Street, Marshfield, MA.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating in Barbara's name to Hope Health & Hospice [www.HopeHealthCo.org/InMemory] or to the Lupus Foundation of America [www.lupus.org]. Thank You!