Barbara C. (Clay) Hathaway

It is with great sadness that the family of Barbara (Clay) Hathaway, formerly of Lynn, MA and New Durham, NH, announces her passing on March 26, 2020 at Brooksby Village in Peabody, MA after a brief illness. She was the wife of the late Franklin M. Hathaway with whom she shared 58 years of marriage. Born in Manchester, CT, she was the daughter of the late Herbert and Mary (Cushing) Clay. She attended schools in Manchester and graduated from Manchester High School, Class of 1942. She also earned an Associate Degree from secretarial school in Hartford.  Barbara was a member of the former First Methodist Church, Wesley United Methodist Church both in Lynn and the Jensen Beach Community Church in Florida.

Barbara was a very quiet, gentle soul who loved her family very much.  She was happiest when she was taking care of her four children and guiding them through their formative years.  She taught kindergarten for years and then, when her family had grown, she worked for the US Housing and Urban Development in Boston for over 15 years.  She always had a kind word and a smile for everyone that she met.  She loved her summer cottage on Merrymeeting Lake in New Durham, NH, which she and Franklin owned for over 30 years.  There was always an open-door policy “at camp” for family and friends and always a friendly card game taking place on the deck overlooking the lake.  She loved to quilt (many of which she gave to her grandchildren as keepsakes) and loved to knit baby sweaters (even when her eyesight was fading, she “just knew the pattern by heart”). 

Barbara will be lovingly remembered by her children:  Wayne (Rosemary) Hathaway, Sr., of Williston, VT.; Carol (Roy) Cheever, of Newton, NH, and North Fort Myers, FL; Alan (Elizabeth) Hathaway of Alburgh, VT, and Apollo Beach, FL; Richard (Wan Sook) Hathaway, of Bratislava, Slovakia.  Barbara will also be fondly remembered by her 11 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.

A special mention should be made of the countless hours that, Christine

(granddaughter) spent at Barbara's bedside during her last days.  It was a special time for both of them and we all thank Christine.

Service Details: A Celebration of Life Service will be held. Due to the outbreak of coronavirus, and the temporary restrictions put in place minimizing gatherings to ten or less people, the Celebration of Life Service has been postponed until further notice. Guest book at parkermemorialfuneralhome.com

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