Barbara J. Lekstrom, 73, of Westborough

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Dec. 7, 1951 ~ Jan. 16, 2025

Westborough – On January 16, 2025, Barbara Joan Lekstrom died at age 74 in Westborough, MA. Beloved sister of Judith (Lekstrom) LaDrew, and the late Cecile Lekstrom and Leonard Lekstrom Jr.

Barbara was born in Cambridge, MA and lived most of her life in Marlborough, MA. Her late parents were Leonard and Jessie (“Scottie”) Lekstrom, also of Marlborough.

Mentally handicapped from birth, Barbara proudly and happily enjoyed living her later years semi-independently in her own apartment with the loving support of The Bridge of Central Massachusetts, later known as Open Sky Community Services.

In 2017, Barbara’s need for support services increased leading her to move into a group home in Westborough, MA, managed by the Department of Developmental Services, Metro Residential Services. With the loving care and support in this home, Barbara came to feel that the staff was her second family.

Barbara’s younger life was characterized by her love for helping friends and the elderly with all kinds of tasks from cleaning windows, painting, mowing and raking lawns, and fixing small mechanical problems with a drill and a screwdriver. She loved living independently and cooking for herself. When Barbara watched other people working or cooking in her kitchen, she had an uncanny ability to know what tool the person needed and handed it to them before they asked for it. This earned her the affectionate nickname “Radar.”

As a person, Barbara always had a cheerful, friendly smile and loved to kid playfully with friends and family, often giving them nicknames. Barbara worked for many years in the laundry room at a motel in Waltham, followed by several years working at the Marlboro Girl’s Club.

The Lekstrom and LaDrew families feel especially grateful to the kind and compassionate staff members who work for the organizations mentioned above and made it possible for Barbara to live with dignity and pride. We give our heartfelt thanks.

A burial will be held at a later date.

The Short & Rowe Funeral Home of Marlborough is assisting with arrangements.

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