Barbara Anne (Stimpson) Leney

Barbara Anne (Stimpson) Leney of Reading passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 8, 2020 at Lahey Clinic & Medical Center in Burlington. She was 87 years of age.

Born on June 10, 1934, Barbara is the loving daughter of the late Charles Stimpson and Emily (Olson) Stimpson. Barbara is a warm and kind daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt and friend. She will be truly missed.

Barbara was a quick-witted, spry, and thoughtful mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, wife, and friend. She loved to tell stories of her days as an equestrian champion in the 1950's and was a life-long lover of horses, birds, and cats. Barbara grew up in Weston, Massachusetts and proudly attended the Katherine Gibbs school in Boston. Barbara worked in the 1960's and 70's as an educator within the Reading Public Schools and, more recently, in real estate at Colonial Manor in Reading. Early in her life, she worked at the "old" Prudential building where she met the love of her life, Gordon.

While she lost him at a young age, Barbara shared her love and commitment to Gordon through stories with her son and grandchildren. Most of these stories involved their shared love of Square Pond in Shapleigh, Maine where Barbara spent each summer, waiting all winter to "get up to the lake." In Maine, Barbara could be found sitting on the porch having a cigarette and iced coffee, while reading the paper, completing a jigsaw or crossword puzzle. and listening to her beloved New England sports. Barbara especially loved the Boston Bruins and had not missed a game in nearly 50 years. Barbara was a lot of fun to be around and taught many of us the meaning of grace and resiliency. She will be missed greatly.

Barbara is the beloved wife of the late Gordon Leney. She is the devoted mother of Alan Leney. The cherished grandmother of Samantha Ruggiero and her husband Dan and Bryan Leney and his wife Jenny, Barbara is the doting great grandmother of Danny and the dear sister of the late Charles Stimpson III. She is also lovingly survived by many nieces, nephews and friends.

Family and friends are cordially invited to gather and share memories with Barbara's Family on Wednesday, July 14th from 4-7pm in the Doherty – Barile Family Funeral Home, 11 Linden St. READING. Parking attendants and elevator are available. A Graveside Ceremony will be held on Thursday, July 15th at 12pm in Puritan Lawn Memorial Park, Peabody.

Donations can be made in Barbara's honor to the MSPCA. MSPCA-Angell - Kindness and Care for Animals

For more information, www.facebook.com/BarileFamilyFuneralHome