Sept. 17, 1937 – March 22, 2024
Shrewsbury – Barbara DeWolfe died after a long illness on Friday, March 22, 2024. She was 86. Barbara loved her family, friends, church, and community unconditionally. The epitome of love in action, she continuously gave her time to a worthy cause, or person in need. What a life well lived!
Barbara Helen Perry was born September 17, 1937, in Worcester. She was daughter of the late Anthony and Hazel Mae (Wells) Perry. Raised and educated in Worcester, she graduated from Commerce High School in 1956.
Starting in the late 1950s Barbara worked as a Senior Clerk in Worcester Central Court for over ten years. After raising her family, in the early 1980s she worked in Worcester Polytechnic Institute’s Office of Continuing Education as a Seminar Coordinator retiring twenty-five years later.
In the early 1960s a mutual friend introduced Barbara to Putney, Vermont native Daniel C. DeWolfe. They married on May 22, 1965, at Sacred Heart Church on Cambridge Street in Worcester. In 1966, they moved to Shrewsbury starting their family.
One fateful day in the early 1970s, Barbara arranged a meeting between her husband, Dan, and her childhood friend, James McCrohon. This resulted in the founding of their ‘Jug-O-Punch’ Irish Folk band. Dan, Jim, and other talented musicians entertained countless audiences for decades with Barbara, Marie McCrohon, their children, and many others applauding from the audience.
She loved the sun, enjoying countless summers on Cape Cod, and winters in Florida. Whether at West Dennis or Nokomis Beach, Barbara brought friends and family to one of the few places she was truly able to relax and unwind: as she was always on the go and full of energy.
She was a long-standing member of Saint Mary’s Parish, where she served as Eucharistic Minister, volunteered during Oktoberfest, and chaired its annual ‘Irish Night’ where the ‘Jug-O-Punch’ entertained. She always enjoyed skiing, tennis, and competitive yard sale negotiations.
No matter her Worcester, Shrewsbury, Dennis, or Venice address, or her workplace, “Club,” Church volunteering, or social setting – Barbara was always up for a chat with a new friend who quickly turned into an old friend. She’ll be missed by many.
In addition to her beloved Dan, she leaves her children, Charles A. DeWolfe of Brattleboro, Vermont, Christopher J. DeWolfe (Rebecca) of Shrewsbury and Alison J. DeWolfe of Newton; her grandchildren, Caitlin DeWolfe (Josh Soper), Kelsey DeWolfe, Christopher DeWolfe, Daniel DeWolfe, Kai DeWolfe, and Josiah DeWolfe; her brother-in-law, Thomas DeWolfe of Greenport, New York; cousins, nephews, and niece; sister of the late John ‘Jack’ Perry and sister-in-law of the late Rev. Robert DeWolfe.
Family and friends will honor and remember Barbara’s life by gathering for calling hours from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Monday, April 1st in Saint Mary’s Church, 640 Main Street, Shrewsbury. Her funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday in the church. Burial will follow in Mountain View Cemetery, Shrewsbury.
Memorials in Barbara’s name may be made to Saint Mary’s Parish, 18 Summer Street, Shrewsbury, MA 01545 or https://www.stmarysparish.org/.
Arrangements by James + John Heald of The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street, Waltham.
