Barbara E. Lofgren (Merriam) Obituary (1933

Barbara E. Lofgren - In Loving Memory Barbara passed away peacefully at home with loving family by her side on November 1, 2018, at the age of 85. She was predeceased by her loving husband of nearly 61 years Paul, her parents Harold and Guida Merriam, and her beloved sister Nancy Grafton. She is survived by her two sons, Paul (Kristen) Lofgren and David (Heather) Lofgren, 11 grandchildren from Paul and Kristen, who are Faith (Joshua L'Esperance), Grace (David Thomas), Glory (Daniel Thomas), Patience, Mercy, Samuel, Joy, Humility, Joseph, John and Elijah, 3 grandchildren from David and Heather, who are Cory, Alayna, and Kyle, and great-grandchildren Rebekah Thomas, Ruth Thomas, Jason Thomas, Talitha Thomas, Vivian Thomas, Jedediah Thomas, Kallista Thomas, and Luke L'Esperance, along with her sister Nancy's children Richard (Jennifer) Grafton, Roy (Megan) Grafton, and Lynne (Mike) Offret. There will be a graveside time of remembrance that is open to the public at Oatka Cemetery in Scottsville, NY at 11:00 AM on Sat., November 10th. Barbara was born June 6, 1933 in Norwood, MA, and graduated at the top of her class at Canton High School in 1950. After briefly attending college at Boston University, she went to work at Liberty Mutual Insurance in Boston, in the company's Employee Benefits Department. During her time with the company, she met her future husband, Paul Lofgren. Barbara and Paul were married May 27, 1956 and were married for over 60 years, up until Paul's death on May 13, 2017. Shortly after marriage, Barbara and Paul moved to Belcher Street in Sharon MA, and then on to Glendale Road in Sharon in 1964, where Barbara was a stay-at-home mom for a number of years. As Paul, Jr. and David got older, Barbara re-entered the work force as a bank teller with then BayBank in Sharon Square. In 2001, Barbara and Paul moved to Wheatland, NY, to live across the street from their son Paul, Jr. and his family. Barbara was devoted to her family, and professed faith in her Heavenly Father. For many years, Barbara and Paul were very active and members at the First Baptist Church in Sharon, MA and then at the First Presbyterian Church in Caledonia, NY later in life, when she was also a member of The Harmonics Society of Genesee Country Museum for a period of years. Barbara was an avid reader, a very capable bridge player, loved lighthouses, was terrific at solving crossword puzzles, was virtually unbeatable at Trivial Pursuit, and rarely missed an episode of Jeopardy (accompanied with ice cream)! Barbara and Paul loved Maine, and vacationed there for decades, most significantly at Candlewood on China Lake, which was owned and operated by dear friends of the family, The Adamses. As her health declined, Barbara moved in to live with Paul, Jr., Kris, and family in January of 2018. Barbara is and will be dearly missed. Paul, Jr. and David are especially grateful to Kris for her tireless care for their mother over a number of years but particularly over the last several months, as Barbara needed more and more hands-on care.