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Official Obituary of

Barbara Stanwood

June 24, 2023

Barbara Stanwood Obituary

Barbara Janet Stanwood of Canton, Massachusetts died peacefully in her home on June 24th.  Barbara was born July 30, 1925 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Barbara was the elder daughter of Hugh Dunning Stanwood and Janet Rattray Sturrock.  Barbara’s Mother and Barbara were members of the Clan Rattray of Scotland. Her sister, who predeceased Barbara, was Elizabeth Stanwood Jephcote of Rockford, Illinois.

Barbara grew up in Parley Vale, Jamaica Plain where she belonged to Girl Scouts and Order of Rainbow for Girls.  She attended Girls Latin School and graduated from Jamaica Plain High School in 1943. Barbara attended Boston University, College of Arts and Sciences and graduated in 1947 with a degree in History and Political Science.  After graduation, Barbara taught at Buffalo Seminary in Buffalo, New York followed by teaching English and History in the Milton Public Schools, Milton Massachusetts.  While in Milton, Barbara also became the middle school librarian, a middle school guidance counselor and she retired as the department chair for the K-12 social studies program.  Throughout her life, Barbara engaged with many students and friends from her teaching years; it was not uncommon for an individual to stop Barbara while she was out in public and fondly remind her that she was their teacher years ago. Barbara was involved in many organizations; she was a proud member of Delta Delta Delta , where she was a lifetime sorority member.

In her community of Canton, Massachusetts, Barbara was an active and dedicated member of the Canton Garden Club, the Canton Historical Society, the Community Club and the Joint Venture Investment Club.  Barbara contributed her love of learning and teaching as a member of these clubs, offering to make presentations and do learning segments frequently.  She will be missed in these clubs, by many.

Barbara leaves many close friends and her loving family: Niece Janet Elizabeth Jephcote Henningsson of Skara, Sweden. Nephew Warren Jephcote of Rockford, Illinois. Sister-in-Law, Eleanor Jephcote of Rockford, Illinois. Great nieces and nephews of Arizona and Sweden as follows: Nicole Jephcote of Phoenix Arizona, Jessica Jephcote of Phoenix Arizona, James A. Jephcote of O’Fallon, Illinois, Taylor Ellen Jephcote of Washington, DC, Janet Nicolina Larsson of Falkoping, Sweden, Camilla Barbara Larsson of Lidkoping, Sweden, Ian Gote Larsson of Stockholm, Sweden and Kelsey Christine Ironside of Gilbert, AZ,

Funeral service at the Dockray & Thomas Funeral Home 455 Washington St. Canton Wednesday at 12:30 pm.  Visiting hours prior to the service Wednesday morning from 11:00 to 12:30 pm.  Burial at Forsyth Chapel Forest Hills Cemetery, Jamaica Plain. 

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