Barbara J. Baxter (Briggs) , a resident of Hyde Park passed away at her home on April 23, 2018. She celebrated her 75th birthday on April 1. Born in Boston, she was the daughter of Gerald L. Sr. and Martha K. (Vollm) Briggs and the beloved wife of the late John R. Baxter.
Barbara enjoyed gardening, reading and watching the birds, especially the cardinals. Visiting New Hampshire was one of her favorite things to do. Here she could visit with two of her grandchildren at the farm, as well as visiting with other relatives. Aside from her family, her life revolved around her love and pride of Hyde Park. If there was a committee meeting involving Hyde Park, she was there. She was a member of the Neponset River Greenway Council, Ward 18 Republican Committee and President of the Hyde Park Neighborhood Association.
Prior to retiring, Barbara was employed by the Commonwealth of Mass as an Administrative Assistant for the Department of Youth Services. She was a devoted member of the Hyde Park Presbyterian Church. She supported the church in many ways, always ready to give a helping hand to whomever needed it. She loved welcoming new members and particularly the older members who had contributed so much to “her” church.
Barbara is survived by her daughters, Jill (Baxter) Connolly and her husband Patrick of Temple, New Hampshire and Jacqui (Baxter) Brown and her husband Bobby of Dedham and her four grandchildren; Tucker and Grant Connolly and Deborah and Steven Gonski. She is also survived by her siblings; Douglas Briggs and his wife Janet, Chester Briggs, Janetta Mohler and her husband Ken, Carol Vance, all of New Hampshire and Anita Pearson of Texas along with several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brother Gerald Briggs, Jr. and sister Corinne Meurant.
Barbara will be dearly missed by her family, her church, her devoted friends and neighbors and the Hyde Park Community as well as the many people she touched with her generosity.
Visiting hours will be held on Monday, April 30 from 3 to 7PM. The funeral service for Barbara will be Tuesday, May 1 at 10AM at the Hyde Park Presbyterian Church, 1109 River St., Hyde Park, MA 02136. Interment in Blue Hill Cemetery, Braintree. In lieu of flowers donations in her memory may be made to the Hyde Park Presbyterian Church at the address listed above.
The Funeral home is Folsom's Funeral Home, 87 Milton Street,Dedham, MA 02026 781-326-0022.