Dorothy Barr

Born on April 11, 1924 to Mae (Martell) and Burton Irving Hickox in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, Dorothy grew up in Holland, Mass. with her four sisters, Doris, Barbara, Jane and June. At 25, she married Sumner D. Barr, and lived with him in their home in Brimfield the rest of her life.

She graduated from Mary E. Wells High School in Southbridge, Mass., and began working at the American Optical Company in the late 40's through 1952. She briefly ran a Tea Room in Sturbridge in the early 50's and was an excellent and loving stay-at-home wife and mom till the mid 60's, when she began working as a waitress at The Indian Village and later at the Publick House, where she graciously served through the mid 1980's. Dot put down the trays and held sales clerk positions at the Publick House Gift Shoppe, Sturbridge Host, The Sturbridge Yankee Workshop, and Uncle Warrens.

Though her formal education was brief, Dorothy deeply valued reading and learning. She was handy with pithy quips and quotations, and was known for her extensive vocabulary and witty sense of humor. She loved babies, cats , flowers, sewing, painting and going to lunch-she'd always order a BLT.

She was often late for appointments, had no discernible sense of direction, and lost or forgot things long before her memory formally faded. But no one cared about those minor short-comings, because she was the nicest person you could ever meet. She was famous for her kindness and generosity, her friendly smile and playful spirit, her blanket forts, lovely flower gardens , beautiful tole painting, Christmas cookies and luscious blueberry cream pie.  She liked people, and would take a genuine interest in everyone she met. Everybody loved Dot Barr; it's no exaggeration to say "To know her was to love her."

The world will be a less fun and colder place without her, especially for those who basked in her warmth: husband Sumner, son Glen, daughter Heather, grand daughter Vivienne of Seattle, Washington sister, Doris Malachowski, niece Karen Martin and great nephew and niece Josh Martin and Abigail Apgar (Martin). The Martin children, includingMichael, who precedes her in death, regarded Dorothy as a Grandmother, and she felt the same way about them. Her many other nieces and nephews and extended family will miss her. As well as her dear friends, Laurel Stalker, Rose Marie Sedlak and Connie Piazzo.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to her wonderful home-caregivers over the past three years, Jeannie, Donna, Karen,Bridget andLeona;frequent visitors and dear ones, John and Jane Freeman and Karen, Steve and Josh Martin and to Overlook Hospice for their recent support.

Arrangements are being made by Belanger-Bullard Funeral Home in Southbridge, and a memorial celebration of Dorothy's life is being planned for April 9th 6 PM at the Publick House in Sturbridge. Please contact Heather Barr at heather01010@msn.com if you would like to attend and share memories.