Barbara C. DiFonzo

Barbara C. DiFonzo, Age 91 of Marlborough, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 6, 2019 surrounded by all of her beloved children.  Barbara lived most of her life in New England – born and raised in Pittsfield, MA, and the eldest of six children, her family moved frequently within Massachusetts.  Barbara graduated from St. Aquinas Academy in Jamaica Plain in 1946 and attended Burdett Secretarial School, where she excelled at short-hand amongst other critical administrative and soft skills.  Early in her career, Barbara moved to Los Alamos, NM in 1947, where after passing the Civil Service examination, she landed the position of Secretary to the Controller of Atomic Energy.  Barbara was very proud of this accomplishment and shared stories with her children of witnessing historical events.  From there, Barbara moved to Albuquerque, NM and ultimately returned to her New England roots in 1956, where she accepted employment at Fenwal Corporation in Ashland, MA.  At a wedding on February 14, 1958 and acting upon a dare by his former girlfriend, she asked her future husband and the love of her life for a dance.  On August 16, 1958 she married, Frank A. DiFonzo, formerly of Barre, Massachusetts.  Together they settled in Hudson, MA and raised six children until Frank’s passing in 1982, after 24 years of marriage.  Barbara was an independent, determined and strong woman.  She returned to the workforce after her husband’s passing, drawing upon her prior work experience to obtain a job at Raytheon Company where she continued to work until her retirement in 1994.  Barbara was always caring for others - managing a growing family, baking desserts, hosting friends, typing homework papers, volunteering her time to her community, and happily making the world a better place.   Barbara is survived by her six children.  She was a wonderful mother to Mari DiFonzo, Anne Ford (Steven), Patricia Glynn (William), Joseph DiFonzo (Melissa Lampinen), Maureen Bacon (Thomas) and Donna Pagnini (Jeffrey).   Barbara was a loving and caring “Nanny” to Maren DiFonzo, Matthew (Samantha Arsenault) and William Glynn, Kelsey and Connor Bacon, Gabriella and Harrison Pagnini, and Sophia and John DiFonzo, and a great-grandmother to Logan Glynn.  Barbara was an aunt to many, and a friend to most.  Most of her life was spent in service to others and she was highly respected for her contributions to her community.  She was an active member of Catholic Daughters of America, Ladies Sodality and The Society of St. Vincent de Paul for many years.  After retiring from Raytheon Company, Barbara also volunteered at Marlborough Hospital for close to 10 years where she helped raise money for a variety of causes and initiatives.  Barbara loved to sing and was part of the Christ the King and St. Michael Parish choirs into her eighties.    Barbara is also survived by a brother and sister, Frederick (Kathy) Carroll of New Hampshire and Dianne Landis of Ohio.  Barbara will be forever loved, remembered and missed.  Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, April 10, 2019 from 5:00PM to 8:00PM at Tighe-Hamilton Funeral Home, 50 Central Street, Hudson, MA.  A funeral procession from Tighe Hamilton will commence at 10:15 AM on Thursday, April 11, 2019 to St. Michael Parish, 20 High Street, Hudson, MA  01749 for an 11:00 AM funeral service.   In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Barbara may be made to The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Boston, 18 Canton Street, Stoughton, MA  02072 or online at the following website:  https://www.svdpboston.com/donate.php or to the American Heart Association at 1-800-AHA-USA1 or online at https://www2.heart.org/site/SPageNavigator/donatenow_heart.html.