Barbara A. Lassen

Barbara Ann Lassen, a resident of Norwood for twenty-five years, and formerly of Oak Bluffs, died on Friday September 12, 2014, at the Charlwell Nursing Home in Norwood. She was 89. Barbara was born March 30, 1925 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the daughter and oldest child of Frank L. and Dorothy (Quinn) Lassen. She graduated from Waltham High School and earned both her bachelors and masters degrees from Boston University.

A retired teacher, Barbara had a remarkable 41-year teaching career, serving first as a commercial subjects teacher at the Oak Bluffs School beginning in 1948, and then as a teacher of business education at Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School (MVRHS) from 1959 until her retirement in 1989.  She was known for her dedication to her students and her professionalism.  She served as the yearbook adviser for many years during her career at MVRHS.  In her later years, Barbara had the pleasure of teaching the children of students she taught in her early years. Upon the occasion of her retirement, she was formally recognized by the Massachusetts House of Representatives and the Massachusetts State Senate for her forty-one years of “bringing out the best in the youth of Martha’s Vineyard.”

Barbara loved genealogy and spent many happy hours before and during her retirement researching her family’s lineage and history.   Barbara enjoyed learning about her family’s ancestors in New England, Denmark, Sweden, England and Ireland, and the challenge of using her research and detective skills in libraries, archives and cemeteries long before the age of the internet. She also had a large collection of local history books about towns, counties and events that were tied to her ancestors. A member of several genealogy associations, she regularly attended conferences on the subject, and enjoyed helping others learn about genealogy while gladly sharing her knowledge and skills with others.

Barbara is survived by her brother Richard L. Lassen and his wife Diana of Westwood, her late brother Robert T. Lassen, and his wife Coralou, of Harwich.  She is also survived by her nephews Richard D. Lassen and his wife Kendra of Westwood, and Robert P. Lassen of Hubbardston,  and her nieces Gayle K. Lassen of Jamaica Plain and Pamela A. Lassen of Mason, NH.  She was a great aunt to Brittany and Cody, and Audrey, Grace and Hannah.

In lieu of flowers, contributions to the New England Historic Genealogical Society, 101 Newbury Street, in Boston, Massachusetts, 02116, in Barbara’s name would be appreciated.

At her request, burial is private.  Barbara will be interred alongside her parents in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett.