April 27, 2018
Baxter, Barbara J.
Barbara J. Baxter (Briggs) , a resident of Hyde Park, passed away at her home on April 23, 2018. She celebrated her 75th birthday on April 1. Born in Boston, she was the daughter of Gerald L. Sr. and Martha K. (Vollm) Briggs and the beloved wife of the late John R. Baxter.
Barbara enjoyed gardening, reading and watching the birds, especially the cardinals. Visiting New Hampshire was one of her favorite things to do. Here she could visit with two of her grandchildren at the farm, as well as visiting with other relatives. Aside from her family, her life revolved around her love and pride of Hyde Park. If there was a committee meeting involving Hyde Park, she was there. She was a member of the Neponset River Greenway Council, Ward 18 Republican Committee and President of the Hyde Park Neighborhood Association.
Prior to retiring, Barbara was employed by the Commonwealth of Mass as an Administrative Assistant for the Department of Youth Services. She was a devoted member of the Hyde Park Presbyterian Church. She supported the church in many ways, always ready to give a helping hand to whomever needed it. She loved welcoming new members and particularly the older members who had contributed so much to “her” church.
Barbara is survived by her daughters, Jill (Baxter) Connolly and her husband Patrick of Temple, New Hampshire and Jacqui (Baxter) Brown and her husband Bobby of Dedham and her four grandchildren; Tucker and Grant Connolly and Deborah and Steven Gonski. She is also survived by her siblings; Douglas Briggs and his wife Janet, Chester Briggs, Janetta Mohler and her husband Ken, Carol Vance, all of New Hampshire and Anita Pearson of Texas along with several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brother Gerald Briggs, Jr. and sister Corinne Meurant.
Barbara will be dearly missed by her family, her church, her devoted friends and neighbors and the Hyde Park Community as well as the many people she touched with her generosity.
Visiting hours will be held on Monday, April 30 from 3 to 7PM at the Folsom Funeral Home, 87 Milton Street, DEDHAM. The funeral service for Barbara will be Tuesday, May 1, at 10AM at the Hyde Park Presbyterian Church, 1109 River St., Hyde Park, MA 02136. Interment in Blue Hill Cemetery, Braintree. In lieu of flowers donations in her memory may be made to the Hyde Park Presbyterian Church at the address listed above.
Comments(19)
To my best friend you will be missed. You touched so many lives and now you can continue great work up above. Miss you greatly.
My deepest condolences to Barbara’s family and many friends. I have known Barbara for more than half of my life. She was one of my first sources when I was a reporter at the Hyde Park Gazette. We became fast friends. Soon, she became a maternal figure, especially after my mom passed. She did so much for Hyde Park, whether it was for the HPNA or the Neponset River cleanups and the environment. Hyde Park will always be a great community because of her. My life will always be better for having known her. Rest in peace, dear friend. I am so glad I saw her at the HP 150 event to tell her how much she meant to me.
Please accept my deepest condolences on the passing away of Barbara. I got to know Barbara in the Hyde Park community in my capacity as the Commnity Service Officer for Boston Police District 18. I served in that capacity for 12 years and sat in on endless meetings with Barbara. She was the best advocate for all things Hyde Park, and especially loved anything to do with children or the elderly. She seemed to have boundless energy. She was always putting other people first. In the 12 years of exposure to her, she never once asked me to do something for herself, but rather for others. She moderated Hyde Park Neighborhood Association meetings which sometimes could get heated. No one did it better. She let everyone voice their opinion and everyone was treated with common decency and respect.. She was always a solid supporter of the Boston Police Department and its officers, which for I will always be grateful. God bless and keep her! Rest in Peace, Barbara. A life well lived! Sgt. Tom Manning. Boston Police (Retired).
Rest in peace Barbara. You have served well and as an inspiring soul.
I’m sorry for your family’s loss. May the God of all comfort be with you during this difficult time. You have my condolences.
To the Family please accept my deepest condolences on the passing of Barbara. Barbara was such an incredible woman.Everyone that knew her would know she always had a Big Heart and was very caring.for everyone in her life. Barbara in my heart you will always be missed may you rest in peace.
I still feel Barbara’s presence, so loving so giving, always reaching out to those in need. May your memories live on. Those who were touched by your life will endeavor to emulate you Barbara. You were the face of Christ to many of us at the Hyde Park Presbyterian Church. May the Lord grant Barbara’s family courage, strentgh, comfort and peace. We love you.
Barbara’s family: We are sorry for your loss.
Barbara was a voice of and for the community. Hyde Park will miss her.
I worked with Barbara at DYS. She was always pleasant and would go out of her way to assist and help me in any way possible. My condolences and sympathies to her family and friends. Barbara, may you rest in peace.
Please accept our sympathies. May God give you all comfort and strength in this your time of need. Rest in Peace Barbara. You will be missed.
May God give you all comfort and strength in this your time of need. Rest In Peace Barbara. You will be missed.
I was impressed by Barbara because of her loving and caring ways for her family, relatives, her church (Hyde Park Presbyterian) and friends. She was kind — always giving of herself, in whatever ways possible. Sometimes when I passed by the church office she would call me in and show me pictures of her family and relatives that she had on her phone. She was especially proud of the grandchildren.
Barbara will be sadly missed by all, but let us live with the fond memories of her.
My deepest condolences and sincere sympathies to all of you for your loss.
Respectfully, Michael McCormack
Salisbury,MA
To the Entire Baxter Family, I wish to send my Deepest and Most Heart Felt Condolences to you as you experience this tragic time! I’ve known Barbara for 32 years and I can Honestly say that She was the Most Loving and Caring Person I have Ever Met! She was a Woman who saw No Color! She was a Woman who saw no Religious Beliefs! She was a Woman who Saw No Political Opinions! She Was Truly a Woman who cared about “THE HUMAN RACE”! A True Icon in the History of DYS and the Judge Connelly Building as well as a True Icon in the Hyde Park Community! May the Grace of God Be With You All At this time! Curtiss H. Carter Sr.
My deepest condolences to your family you will be greatly misses, you have touches our family’s live with generosity, kind words, and concern. Each and every Sunday we walk into the office before we leave the church seeing you and having a few conversation with you was a joy. Words cannot say how much we are going to miss you at church and seeing you. May God continue to hold each and every one of you in his arms and give you that peace only he can provide.
Violet Brade
My condolences to Barbara’s family. I have enjoyed knowing you through the years.
Carol MacDonald
As a member of Hyde Park Presbyterian Church, I worked closely with Barbara on church committees. She was a dedicated church member and a hard worker. Barbara was always willing to help and to offer advice regarding church activities. She also had a wealth of information regarding community activities and events, which she passed on to others.
To Family & Relatives:
I believe that fond memories of Barbara will give you comfort and strength. She will be greatly missed.
I cannot remember a time when Barbara was not a part of my life. She was well-known for all the work she did for the good of Hyde Park, but she should also be remembered for all her quiet acts of kindness and generosity. As the recipient of many of these kindnesses, I will always think of her with love and gratitude. The best way to honor her life is to live by her example.
My condolences to Barbara’s family.She has been a staple on Hyde Park Avenue for as long as I can remember and definitely will be missed