Barbara L. (Patterson) Mahoney

Barbara L. (Patterson) Mahoney of Beverly, formerly of Stoneham, November 19, 2015 at age 91. Beloved wife of the late John F. "Jack" Mahoney. Barbara was the daughter of the late Wilbur and Hilda (Herrick) Patterson of Salem and was born in Salem, MA. She was the former Director of Stoneham's Council on Aging and was the driving force in the renovation of the beautiful Senior Center on Elm Street.

Survived by Cathy McDonough and her husband Marty, Mary Ann Lambert and her husband Larry, Michael D. Spaniak/Stevans and his wife Sharon, Frank Spaniak and his wife Gisela, Charles Spaniak and his wife Judy and George J. Burnett and Barbara's beloved friend Helen LaForge.

Mrs. Mahoney had 3 brothers, the late Donald Patterson and his late wife Ginny, the late David Patterson and the late Joseph Patterson. Mrs. Mahoney was the loving grandmother of 8 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

During WW II, she dropped out of Salem High in her Junior Year and went to work to help the family during the depression. She is pre-deceased by her husbands, Frank Spaniak and George Burnett, a Nahant Police Officer.

After her husbands died and all her children were grown, she decided to finish her education. In her sixties, and enrolled at North Shore Community College, she earned an Associate's Degree. She went onto UMASS Boston, College of Community and Public Service, where she earned a BA with a concentration in Gerontology. After marrying Mr. Mahoney, she was appointed to the Council on Aging and soon became the Director of the Senior Center. She worked hard to get funds to renovate the decrepit building that housed the seniors and after many tries and with help from local legislators, working with Joe Slavet, and the backing of the town she received state funds for the complete renovation of the building. Mrs. Mahoney was very proud that the seniors now had a new and beautiful, secure facility to enjoy, and receive all the services they needed.

A Funeral Service Celebrating Barbara's Eternal Life will be held on Wednesday, November 25, 2015 at 12pm in the Chapel of the Barile Family Funeral Home, 482 Main St. (RT 28) STONEHAM. Family and friends are cordially invited to gather and share memories with the Family prior to the Service, beginning at 10am. Parking attendants and elevator are available. Interment Lindenwood Cemetery, Stoneham.

Please honor Barbara by making donations in her memory to the Stoneham Senior Center, 136 Elm St. Stoneham, MA 02180.

For more information, www.facebook.com/BarileFamilyFuneralHome