Barbara Elizabeth Neale

Barbara E. Neale of Back Bay Boston, June 14, 2017, at age 87 she passed peacefully in her sleep.

Barbara was born February 23, 1930 at home in West Roxbury, MA to Daisy E. Neale (Scotland) and Ernest G. Neale (England). She was the first in her family to be born in the United States and was always very proud to be an American, and believed it was the greatest free country. She lived in various towns in MA including Weymouth, Essex, Braintree, Stoneham and Boston.

Barbara graduated class of 1947 at Skowhegan High school in Maine, her Bachelor of Science from Northeastern University in 1967 and her Masters of Education from Boston University in 1970. She graduated magna cume laude in all levels of education.

Barbara worked continuously starting in the fields of manufacturing, advertising and insurance which led to an exciting career at North Eastern Airlines at Logan Airport from 1961-1973. At which time she was able to travel the world, and hone her sales skills as she created the position systems manager of sales and service of the women's division. When North Eastern was bought by Delta, she moved on to broadcasting. Barbara started as a temp in 1973 at WGIR in Manchester NH and eventually became the general manager of the station. At the time she was the highest ranking woman in NH broadcast industry. In 1981, Barbara created her own business in marketing and communications: Independent Concepts. At the same time, she was teaching part time at Northeastern University in the undergraduate division in communications.

Barbara was a member of several organizations, notably she was the director of The Hundred Club of MA, the American Contract Bridge League, and an active member of various congregational churches. She was a popular dynamic public speaker who was sought out to speak at many graduations and dinners.

During her later years she was active in volunteerism, she was especially passionate about sharing her love of reading with others. She worked with the Literacy Volunteers of MA where she transcribed books to audio for the blind, the YMCA of Greater Boston specifically providing practice for English speaking and reading to people from all over the world. She spent several hours once a week for three years at the Hale House nursing home as a visitor volunteer.

Barbara was featured many times in newsprint from as early on as the age of 7. At one time when asked to explain why an image of the bumblebee was on her business card, "Because (Barbara said), engineering studies have proven that the bumblebee's physical configuration is such that it cannot fly-yet it does. For me, there is nothing that can't be accomplished you just go ahead and do it. The bumblebee doesn't know he can't fly. People have no idea of the marvelous capabilities they have. I like to encourage people to do things, to fly." (Manchester NH Sunday News,1985)

Survived by: sister in-law Doris C. Neale, Derry NH. Nephew Bud J. Neale, Bangor, ME and his family; Vicky Neale, Danielle Neale and Melissa Neale. Niece Ginger N. Costa, Ashaway, RI and her family;Steven Reis and Amalia Costa. Niece September J. Hughes, Narragansett, RI her family;Dennis Hughes, Arianna Hughes and Callum Hughes. Niece Jennifer L. Royal, Sandown, NH and her family; Andrew Royal and Andrew MacDonald.

Predeceased by her younger brother, Ernest G. Neale Jr. (12-31-1999)

A Funeral Service Celebrating Barbara's Eternal Life will be held in the Barile Family Funeral Home 482 Main St. (RT28) STONEHAM Sunday July 9th, 2017 at 1:30pm. Parking attendants and elevator available.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Barbara may be made to a charity of your choice.

A special thank you to the caregivers of Home Instead, Boston and the compassionate nurses and staff at the Prescott House in North Andover, MA.