Mrs. Barbara Rawson Lorden

May 27, 1917 - January 12, 2011

Barbara R. (Ward) Lorden Beloved Mother, Grandmother, and Great Grandmother “Nana” A Lovely Lady East Dennis--Barbara Lorden, 93, led a long life filled with family, sweetness, talent, brilliance, intelligence, and a passion for many things in life. Barbara’s passions were first and foremost her family, especially her great grandchildren who she referred to as her greatest joys and best accomplishments in life. “There is nothing like a new baby. It’s really what keeps me going.” Barbara was at her happiest when sharing in family visits and holidays. Her children and grandchildren were her center and her true love. Barbara had a passion and talent for art. Her gift is evident in her beautiful art work that hangs on the walls of her family members homes that tell stories of Cape Cod summer days and winter marshes, New Hampshire winters and, covered bridges and barns of Vermont. Nana held Membership at the Cape Cod Art Association. She valued this membership. It was there that she met her dear friend Eleanor Martin. After Saturday luncheons, the two would seek out beautiful scenes of Cape Cod, photograph them, and turn them into their own works of art. Eleanor and Barbara also belonged to the Cape Cod Adventures and traveled to places such as England, Scotland, France, Sweden, and Holland. These trips were very special to Nana and would be spoken about often as well as taken to the canvas. As special as the trips were, her friendship with Eleanor was the true treasure. Her talents also included rug hooking, decoupage, gardening, and sewing. Barbara’s gardens and hydrangea bushes were the envy of many. Nana believed she was a life-long learner. In her 70’s, she took a computer course to be up to date on technology. Daily she read two newspapers front to back, never missed the Channel 5 news, an episode of Chronicle, or Larry King. She took a magazine to bed with her every night. She could hold a conversation on almost any topic. If she couldn’t, you could count on that happening once because she would educate herself on the subject! Into her 90’s, she was still completing the daily Boston Globe crossword puzzle without a dictionary. Barbara had a strong work ethic. She began her professional career right out of high school in 1935. During WW II, she and her sister Phee moved in together with their three small children so that Phee could mind the children while Nana went out to work to keep the economy moving. When finished with outside work, she would sew dresses or mend clothing for extra money. Barbara went on to become a Personnel Director at the United Brands Fruit Company in the Prudential Building in Boston. She was employed there for over 20 years. Here she met her good friend, Kay Nuzzo with whom she spent many enjoyable days as well as numerous Fourth of Julys. In her later years, she became a volunteer at the Cape Cod Council of Churches Thrift and Gift shop where she worked up until November of 2009. Barbara’s story began on May 27, 1917 in Boston. She was the daughter of the late George and Madge (Bishop) Ward. She grew up in Malden and was educated in Malden Schools. As a member of the 1935 graduating class at Malden High School, she was one of the first females inducted into the National Honor Society. From Malden High School, Barbara was accepted to Tufts University. On June 23, 1937 Barbara married Henry “Hank” Joseph Lorden. They were married at The Immaculate Conception Church in Malden. Together they raised three wonderful children. They were married for 39 years and shared a mutual love of family, traveling the roads of New England, antique shows, auctions, and horses. Barbara and Henry had a deep love and respect for one another. Their marriage was a special one and served as a loving example for their children. This love was shared until Henry’s death on April 21, 1976. They made their home in Malden until 1955 when they moved to Billerica. Barbara lived in Billerica from 1955 until 1978. She and her family made many connections there including the Loranger family. Marion Loranger and Barbara were close friends and their ties remained strong. All of her children met and married their Billerica High School Sweethearts. Barbara moved to Lowell with her daughter Donna and son- in -law Michael in 1978 where she lived until 1988 when she traded in her summer status to permanent resident on Sesuit Harbor, Cape Cod. Nana loved the Cape and started each day at Corporation Beach with a coffee and The Cape Cod Times and considered herself “the luckiest woman on Earth to be able to do so”. She often shared these moments with good friends such as Rose Tedesco. Barbara has left behind quite a legacy. She is survived by three children, eleven grandchildren, and eighteen great grandchildren with her nineteenth expected in May. She will be missed a great deal but has left an impression with each of her family members and friends that is individual and will never be lost. In her 93 years, Barbara made the most of every day and that is a wonderful life lesson for those whose lives she has touched. Barbara is survived by her son, Kenneth B. Lorden, Sr. of South Dennis, MA and her daughter –in- law, Marilyn F. (Forsley) Lorden of Fairlee, VT; her daughter, Dianne B. (Lorden) Forsley and her husband, Thomas Forsley ,IV of Henniker, NH; her daughter, Donna C.(Lorden) McLaughlin and her husband Michael E. McLaughlin, Sr. of Dracut, MA; her grandchildren, Kenneth B. Lorden, Jr. and his wife Marlene of E. Montpelier, VT, Michael T. Lorden and his wife Vicky of E. Dennis, MA, Christopher J. Lorden and his wife Kristi of Milford, NH, Andrew R. Lorden of Phoenix, AZ, Gretchen D. Forsley of York, ME, Kristen E. Forsley of Milford, NH, Thomas Forsley, V and his wife Wendy of Milford, NH, Brendan A. Forsley of Henniker, NH, Michael E. McLaughlin, Jr. of Dracut, MA, Matthew E. McLaughlin, Sr. and his wife Nayana, of N. Tewksbury, MA, and Erin R. (McLaughlin) Rourke and her husband Sean of Lowell, MA; her great grandchildren, Jennifer and Mary Kate Lorden of E. Montpelier, VT, Kurtis and Corey Lorden of E. Dennis, MA, Nicholas and Katie Lorden of Milford, NH, Jordan, Devon, Callahan, and Grace Bettinson of York, ME, Cassidy and Kyle Forsley of Milford, NH, Michael and Matthew McLaughlin of N. Tewksbury, MA, Jack, Ava, Caroline, and Finnegan Rourke of Lowell, MA; her brother, Richard F. Silva, Sr. of Meredith, NH; her sisters-in-law, June Silva of Topsfield, MA and Priscilla Silva of Danvers, MA. Barbara was also the sister of the late Phyllis G. (Ward) Harkins , Robert Ward, and Jackson B. Silva, and the sister-in-law of the late John Harkins and Elizabeth “Betty” Silva. Barbara is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews. FUNERAL NOTICE LORDEN—In South Dennis, January 12, 2011. Barbara R. (Ward) Lorden, 93, of East Dennis, MA, formerly of Lowell, and the loving wife of the late Henry J. Lorden. Family and friends may call at the FAY McCABE FUNERAL HOME, 105 MOORE STREET, LOWELL, on TUESDAY from 4 until 8P.M. Barbara’s Funeral will begin on WEDNESDAY MORNING at 10 o’clock from the Funeral Home, followed by her Funeral Mass at 11 o’clock at The Immaculate Conception Church, 144 East Merrimack Street, Lowell . Burial will follow in the family lot in Fox Hill Cemetery, Billerica. ARRANGEMENTS BY THE FAY McCABE FUNERAL DIRECTORS, 978-459-9222. www.faymccabe.com