Barbara S. (Saltmarsh) Mitchell

Barbara S. Mitchell Westminster - Barbara (Saltmarsh) Mitchell, 86 of Westminster formerly of Athol died Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at the Wachusett Manor Nursing Home in Gardner.      She was born October 29, 1925 in Dorchester, Massachusetts the daughter of Herman and Mary (Carney) Saltmarsh. Barbara grew up in Athol graduating from Athol High School in 1943, later moving to Norwich, VT, returning to Athol and since 1958 has resided in Westminster.     Barbara worked at the L.S Starrett Company for several years. She was a member of St. Edward’s Catholic Church, Sportsman’s Pond Association, The Petersham Curling Club and the Gardner Country Club.  She was an accomplished dancer in the area and was actually asked to teach dancing in Boston.  She chose to stay in Athol and marry Don and start their wonderful life together. They loved their weekends away with friends in Maine and the Cape, but especially loved going to Bermuda with friends and family. Barbara was a drum major while in high school, enjoyed playing cards and entertaining. She loved her family and especially loved spending time with her grandchildren.  Barbara was a very caring and giving person and everyone that she met befriended her.  She will be forever missed.      Her husband of 53 years, Donald E. Mitchell died in 2001.  She leaves a daughter, Amanda Roberts and her husband Michael of West Royalston; five grandchildren, Michaela and Christopher Mitchell, Joshua, Zachary and Abigail Roberts and a daughter-in-law, Diane Mitchell of Winchendon.  Besides her husband she was predeceased by a son Brian D. Mitchell in 2007 and her dog “Bronson.”       A Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, January 30, 2012 at 11:00 A.M. at Our Lady Immaculate Church, 192 School Street, Athol.  Burial will follow at Silver Lake Cemetery and a gathering will be held in the parish hall of St. Francis of Assisi Church.  Calling hours will be on Monday from 9:00 to 10:30 A.M. at Higgins-O’Connor Funeral Home, 146 Main St., Athol.  In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations in Barbara’s name be made to a local animal shelter. For further information or to share a memory with the family go to: www.higginsoconnorfuneralhome.com.   $(document).ready(function(){ });