NORTHAMPTON: Barbara L. Nason, 61, of Northampton, MA, formerly of Springfield, MA and Simsbury CT, died unexpectedly from a fall in her home on May 7, 2020. Barbara was born November 5, 1958 in Toronto, Ontario to the late Gerald and Mary (Halstead) Nason. Arriving hand first, Barbara grabbed life from the beginning with great zeal and wonder. She earned her Masters of Arts in Teaching degree from Brown University and her Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Drew University.
Barbara in no particular order loved her nephew Drew, nature, hiking, camping, kayaking, swimming, art, literature, her many friends, her family, John Denver, Joni Mitchell, and Jim Croce. She wrote poetry. She painted watercolors. She performed in musicals and sang in church choirs. Lately, she took up knitting and needlepoint. She made meals for people who were sick or just needed a pick me up. She “waved for peace” along with her church family at Foster Memorial Church, Springfield. She was always there for the big and small moments in her nephew’s life, her siblings’ lives, and the lives of her friends. She faced obstacles in her life with courage.
In her long-lasting career with Disability Management Services in Springfield, she befriended and mentored new entrants to the claims field. One of her friends from there remarked how Barb not only helped her become a competent professional, but also taught her how to use dill and to make a fantastic potato salad. Barbara gave of herself to the world.
She is survived by her loving and devoted brother James (Jim) Nason and his wife Patricia (Pan) Riley of Simsbury, CT, her “little sis” Anne Nason and her husband Kenneth (Ken) Briner of Phoenix, AZ, and her dear nephew, Andrew (Drew) Briner of Nashua, NH. Her cat George has found a new home in the apartment community Barbara loved so much—she’d be happy about that.
A celebration for friends and family to share stories of Barb’s impact on their lives will be held at a later date. In memory of Barbara, the family requests that a donation be made to the Appalachian Mountain Club, 10 City Square, Boston, MA 02129 or via their website www.outdoors.org/honor-memorial-gift.
The Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
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