Obituary

Barbara Rose (Cosgro) Downes, a two year resident of Stoneham, MA, formerly a 44 year resident of Melrose, MA, died on Wednesday, July 27, 2005, at Lahey Clinic Medical Center in Burlington, MA, following a lengthy illness. She was 83 years old.

Barbara was born in Everett, MA, and she grew up between Cambridge, MA, and Manchester, NH, where she attend her schooling. She worked for Hemenway and Barnes, a law firm in Boston, MA, as a paralegal/secretary for 23 years. Barbara retired approximately 18 years ago. Her hobbies included knitting, baking and was an avid Boston Red Sox fan. She was an active member of the Mistick Side Girl Scout Counsel.

Barbara was the wife of the late Frank O. Downes. She is the mother of Catherine Weston of Boston, MA, Peg Doyle of Hingham, MA, Elizabeth Maldonado of Cary, NC, Kenneth Downes of Littleton, CO, and Jeffrey Downes of Burbank, CA. She is the loving grandmother of Stephan and Michael Downes, Jessica Maldanado, Zachary and Caitlin Doyle, Jennifer Roberson and Jessica Gullatte. She is the great-grandmother of Haley, Meghan and Joseph. She is also survived by her sisters Martha Luther of Melrose, MA, Joan Ellison of AZ and the late Bunny Cosgro. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Barbara's Funeral will be held at the Philip X. Carr Funeral Home, 1159 Main Street, Melrose, MA, on Monday, August 1, 2005, at 9:00 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass in the Most Blessed Sacrament Church, 1155 Main Street, Wakefield, MA, at 10:00 a.m. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Visiting Hours for Barbara are on Sunday, July 31, 2005, from 3 – 6 p.m. Interment will be at Puritan Lawn Memorial Park in Peabody, MA.

Memorial donations may be made in Barbara's name to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen Street, Framingham, MA 01701.