Barbara A. Fortier

ATHOL - Barbara (Chase) Fortier, 56, of Bearsden Road, Athol, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 17, 2010 at Boston's Brigham and Women's Hospital after a courageous three-year battle with multiple myeloma. A lifelong resident of Athol, Barbara was born on October 19, 1953 to Walter and Arlene (Hammond) Chase. She graduated from Athol High School in 1971 and later attended Greenfield Community College, where she studied bookkeeping. For the past 20 years she was the Chief Financial Officer of Garrick Contract Carriers, the trucking company she co-owned with her husband. Barbara was a very active parishioner of Our Lady Immaculate Church, where she was a founding member of the North Quabbin Catholic Community Prayer Shawl Ministry and enjoyed attending a women's Bible study group. She was also a member of the Boston Area Shaker Study Group, serving as Treasurer for several terms, and was known throughout Athol for her many years of involvement with the United Way and the local Boy and Girl Scouting organizations. She was an avid Patriots fan and season ticket holder, who could be found at Gillette Stadium during home games no matter the weather. She also enjoyed watching NASCAR races and traveled to many racetracks on the East Coast over the years. Barbara's favorite vacation spot was Wells Beach, Maine, where she spent many summers surrounded by family and friends. She also loved kayaking, bird watching, gardening, cross-stitching, taking trips in her RV and hosting large family gatherings. Barbara will be remembered for her compassionate nature, strong work ethic and wonderful sense of humor. Most importantly, she will be remembered for being such a loving wife, caring mother, and doting "Ma" to her grandchildren. In addition to her loving husband of 23 years, Gary Fortier, Barbara is survived by two daughters, Sara (Hebert) Yates and her husband William of Windham, Maine, and Jennifer (Hebert) Mayer and her husband, William; a son, Garett Fortier; her mother, Arlene Chase; a sister, Carol Ambrozy and her husband Donald; a nephew, Richard Ambrozy and his wife and children; and five grandchildren, Liam, Riley, and Morgan Yates of Windham, Maine, and Evan and Olivia Mayer. Calling hours will be held on Friday, February 19, 2010 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Fiske Funeral Home, 1356 Main Street, Athol. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, February 20, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady Immaculate Church, 192 School Street, Athol. Interment will follow at Silver Lake Cemetery, Athol. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Barbara A. Fortier Memorial Fund, which has been established to fund scholarships for local students, c/o Athol Savings Bank, 1499 Main Street, Athol, MA 01331, or the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, 383 Main Avenue, 5th Floor, Norwalk, CT 06851. $(document).ready(function(){ });