Barbara J. Bickford

Barbara J. Bickford, 96, of Scarborough, and formerly of Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully in Scarborough at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House late Saturday evening on August 24, 2024, surrounded by family.

Barbara was born in Wellesley, Massachusetts on June 1, 1928, a daughter of John and Esther (Comiskey) Mason. She grew up in Wellesley and graduated from Wellesley High School, class of 1946. She received her Associates Degree from Fisher College in Boston.

On December 19, 1948 Barbara married her husband William Bickford.  The young couple originally met in Damariscotta at the summer cottage Barbara visited annually as a teenager.  William and his family stayed in the neighboring cottage, and from that point on their relationship blossomed.  Many treasured memories were made during those summer vacations.

For the majority of her life, from 1953 to 2013, Barbara lived in Shrewsbury. She was a homemaker who lovingly raised her three children. When her husband passed, she returned to the work force for the Veteran's Administration from age 45 to age 66.

She had many interesting hobbies. She enjoyed reading, gardening and listening to classical music. She also belonged to "miniature clubs" with her friends, which was how she showed her artistic style by making small houses, furniture and other tiny accessories. She was an avid sports fan, following the Boston Red Sox baseball team.  Her favorite foods were steak with onion rings, lobster rolls, and Kirschner Hot Dogs.

Most of all she loved the time she spent with her family, especially her grandchildren.  Barbara had a favorite saying "Carpe Diem" (seize the day) which was how she lived her life.  She will be sadly missed by many.

She was predeceased by her husband William T. Bickford on November 15, 1968, by one daughter Elizabeth Bickford and by one brother John Mason.

She is survived by two children, Suzanne Appell and husband David and William M. Bickford, six grandchildren Daniel, Sarah, Aryn, Maggi, Isabelle and Sebastian, four great grandchildren Ricky, Tobby, Mason and Lizzy, one niece and three nephews.

A Graveside Service will be held at 11:30AM Thursday, August 29, 2024, at Mountain View Cemetery, 22 Boylston Street, Shrewsbury, MA.  A Celebration of Life is being planned in Maine for sometime in September.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Barbara's name to Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough: https://www.hospiceofsouthernmaine.org/donate