Barbara Haley

Barbara Jean (Barno) Haley, 79, of Hudson, NH, passed away peacefully at home on February 11, 2021, following an unflinching battle with cancer. She was born on March 9, 1941, in Johnson City, NY. She was predeceased by her parents Stephen and Sophia Barno, brother John Barno, sister Jane Coleman, brothers-in-law Bernard Eck and Tom Closser, and nieces Courtney Eck and Cynthia Wells. She is survived by her devoted husband of 53 years, John Haley; her sons Colin (Kathleen) Haley of Milton, MA, Ryan (Kristina) Haley of Bogotá, Colombia; her sisters Marilyn Eck and Elaine Closser, both of Endicott, NY, brother-in-law Michael Coleman of Endwell, NY; sister-in-law Lorraine Barno of Cocoa, FL.; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was the beloved “Babcia” to grandchildren Margaret, John, Luke and Caroline of Milton, MA, and Sofia and Nicolas of Bogotá, Colombia, whom she instilled with a love of nature, music, art, and outdoor activities. Barb grew up in Endicott, NY, in a large and loving Polish family. She graduated from Nazareth College in Rochester, NY, with a bachelor’s degree in nursing. After moving to New Hampshire, she worked as a nurse at Nashua Pediatrics for more than 20 years, forming lifelong friendships with many of the doctors and nurses. Her Catholic faith was important to her and sustained her throughout her illness. She was a 40-year communicant of St. Kathryn’s Parish in Hudson and volunteered as an altar server. She put her faith into practice at the Hudson Community Food Pantry and by performing countless, small acts of kindness for friends and neighbors. Barb was a talented athlete. Although she grew up with few opportunities to play organized sports, as an adult she skied, hiked, bowled, played tennis and was likely the oldest (and oftentimes the most productive) women’s softball player in town. Barb sincerely appreciated the professional and compassionate care of her doctors and nurses at Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Burlington, MA, and Foundation Health Hematology and Oncology and Southern New Hampshire Medical Center in Nashua, NH. Home Health & Hospice Care of Merrimack. She was also grateful for the kindness of her many friends and neighbors. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, February 16, at 10AM in St Kathryn’s Church located at 4 Dracut Rd. in Hudson, NH. A brief Walk-Through Visitation will be held immediately following the Mass. Burial at Holy Cross Cemetery, Hudson, NH, will be limited to family. All those attending are asked to wear a mask as well as to follow social distancing guidelines. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Barb’s memory to the New Hampshire Audubon Society at www.nhaudubon.org/donate/make-a-donation/ or the Hudson Community Food Pantry, PO Box 293, Hudson, NH 03051.

Barbara Haley

March 9, 1941 - February 11, 2021