Barbara J. Barbieri

Barbara J. Barbieri, 86, of Milan, NH, passed away on Monday March 20, 2023 at her home surrounded by her three children and grandson. She was born in Gorham, NH on January 25, 1937, the daughter of Lewis Irwin and Barbara (Davis) Potter and grew up in Berlin. After attending the University of NH, she moved to NY working in a medical lab in NYC. It was here she met her husband, Robert Barbieri. They started a family together while living in NY until moving back to NH in 1968. She had been employed as a librarian at Berlin Public Schools for nearly 30 years, retiring in 1999.

Together they built their current home, a log cabin on Nay Pond. They resided at the ‘camp,’ as they always called it, for the past 20 years. It had always been their dream to live out their golden years in a cabin on water. They spent most of their time here with their children and grandchildren, skiing, gardening, woodworking, kayaking, snow machining, snowshoeing, and many other outdoor activities. Barbara was an avid swimmer, and could often be found midday doing laps on the pond, and stayed in a swimsuit and sundress for much of the summer. She was an avid gardener and bird watcher all her life.

Barb spent many hours donating her librarian and ‘historian’ skills with the Heritage Park in its early days. In more recent years, she donated time to the Berlin Historical Society and tried to never miss a barn sale, where she carried out a wide variety of volunteer services. St. Kieran’s Center for the Arts was a favorite spot for her as well, not only through volunteering, but she enjoyed all of the performances. Barb enjoyed quilting and was a long-time member of the Berlin Quilters Guild where she served as secretary for many years. She belonged to the Material Girls and loved the time she spent with the ‘girls’ sewing, solving the world’s problems, and their weekly lunch dates. She especially enjoyed creating and presenting Quilts of Valor to area veterans.

Family includes her children, James Barbieri and his wife Sandra of Brisbane, Australia, Barbara Patry and partner Mike Couch of Berlin, NH, and Lisa Barbieri of Berlin, NH; 11 grandchildren Anthony Barbieri of Alexandria IN, Sean Patry of Gorham NH, Ian Bickford of Concord NH, Cameron Patry of Merrimack NH, Brendan Binette of Bangor ME, Trevor Bickford of Fort Lewis WA, Nicholas Barbieri of Upper Kedron Australia, Jason Binette of Berlin NH, Zachary Brunette of Manchester NH Christopher Barbieri of Brisbane, Australia, and Kayleigh Brunette of Manchester NH; 8 great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Robert J. Barbieri, her daughter Gina Bickford, and sisters Patricia (Potter) Meserve and Margaret (Potter) Wheeler.

A Funeral Service will be held on Sunday March 26, 2023 at 2 PM at the Bryant Funeral Home, 180 Hillside Ave., Berlin. There will be no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make donations in her memory to A.V. Homecare Services, 795 Main Street, Berlin NH. Memories and condolences may be shared online at www.bryantfuneralhome.net.