Mary Barnes

Sturbridge: Mary (Nickles) Barnes, 85, of Walker Pond Road, died Monday, December 12, 2005 in Radius Healthcare of Southbridge. Her husband, Kenrick Barnes died in 1991. She leaves four sons, Stuart Barnes and his wife Jane of Leicester, John Barnes and his wife Ruella of Gambrills, Maryland, Roger Barnes and his wife Janice of Webster Groves, Missouri and Gordon Barnes of Sturbridge; four brothers, Fred Nickless of Manchester-by-the-Sea, Herbert Nickless of Nashua, NH, Richard Nickless of Petersham and George Nickless of Manchester-by-the-Sea; 7 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews. Mrs. Barnes grew up in Carlisle and Billerica and graduated from Howe High School in Billerica and Katherine Gibbs Business School in Boston. She was on the Board of Library Trustees in three towns, Billerica, Manchester and Sturbridge. She was the assistant librarian at the elementary school libraries in Manchester and Sturbridge, retiring from Burgess Elementary School in Sturbridge in 1985 after twenty years of service. She enjoyed singing and playing the piano and was a member of the Center Singers in Billerica, the Harmonettes in Manchester, the Interfaith Choral Society and the Quinebaug Valley Singers in Southbridge. She had a life-long interest in genealogy, was proud of her New England Yankee ancestors and was an active member of several genealogical organizations including the Massachusetts Society of Genealogists. She loved to meet and talk with people and stopping to have a casual conversation with her would often end up lasting several enjoyable hours. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Contributions may be made to the Joshua Hyde Library, 306 Main Street, Sturbridge, MA 01566 or to a charity of one' s choice. Belanger-Bullard Funeral Home 51 Marcy St. Southbridge is directing arrangements. An online guest book is available at www.BelangerFuneralHome.com