Barbara A. (Stone) McCusker, 92, a longtime resident of Framingham, died Thursday, April 25, 2024 after a long and courageous battle with dementia. Even with the disease having taken away most of her ability to engage with others, her kind, loving, selfless personality always shined through to the end. Born in Boston, she was the daughter of the late F. Carl & Margaret (Vahey) Stone, and the beloved wife of the late John Patrick McCusker.
Barbara was raised and educated in Quincy and was a graduate of Quincy High School. She went on to attend secretarial school. In 1955 she married Jack whom she had met while he reconnected with his sisters who were her friends across the street on Exeter St. in Wollaston. They raised their six children in Arlington, Wollaston and W. Peabody, finally settling in Framingham in 1968. Once the children were older, Barbara went back to work first in the Framingham Public Schools, and then enjoyed a nearly 30-year career at St. Patrick’s Manor.
A devout Catholic and the definition of a matriarch, Barbara loved time spent with her family. Everyone felt welcomed in her home. She was an excellent cook and relished in family meals. She enjoyed being a member of the St. George’s Church Bridge Club, which was the mainstay of her and Jack’s social life for years. She is remembered for her morning ritual of tea and solitaire, mastery of seven letter words on triple scores in scrabble, and dominating in any board game put in front of her. Her loud “woobies” when easily startled will be missed.
Barbara is survived by her children, Timothy McCusker & his wife Kimberly of Natick, Tricia McCusker-Polin of Stow, Barbara McCusker Carpenter of Lake Oswego, OR, and Dan McCusker & his wife Marielena of Framingham, her daughter in law, Paula McCusker of Southborough, her sister Paula Walker, her grandchildren, Aquariana, Matthew, Kyle, Sean, Daniel, Pebble, William, Josh, Aaron, Ava, and Timmy, and many nieces and nephews. Besides her husband Jack, Barbara was predeceased by her sons, John P. “Jack” McCusker, Jr. and William “Bill” McCusker, as well as her sisters, Jeannette Pearce and Carolyn Bruno.
Family and friends will honor and remember Barbara’s life by gathering for visiting hours in the McCarthy, McKinney & Lawler Funeral Home, 11 Lincoln St. Framingham on Friday, May 3rd from 5 -7PM. Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday morning in St. George Church, 74 School St. Saxonville at 10 o’clock. Interment will follow in St. Stephen Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made in Barbabra’s name to Alzheimer’s research or any charity of your preference.
To share a memory with Barbara’s family, kindly visit www.mccarthyfh.com
Norton, McKinney & Lawler Funeral Home