Barbara May Stearns

Barbara May (Townsend) Stearns, 83, of South Worcester Street, Norton, died on Tuesday, February 10, 2015 at her residence surrounded by the love of family. She was the wife of the late Retired Captain Laroy Ernest Stearns, Jr., Norton Fire Department, to whom she was married on April 11, 1953 and died on November 4, 2012. Born in Dighton, Massachusetts on March 19, 1931, she was a daughter of the late Robert and Arlene (Lucas) Townsend. She resided in Dighton until moving to Norton 61 years ago. Mrs. Stearns was employed in the quality assurance department of Augat Interconnection Systems in Attleboro, now of Mansfield, for five years prior to her retirement in 1980. She was a communicant of St. Mary Roman Catholic Church, Norton. Her favorite pastimes included knitting and drawing. However, her truest pride came from the time spent with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren making lifelong memories to cherish. She loved time spent admiring the water particularly Cape Cod beaches and shorelines. Mrs. Stearns will be lovingly remembered for decorating her home for each and every holiday throughout the year. She leaves five children: Pamela E. Bennett, her devoted caregiver and companion of many years, of Norton; Lucinda K. (Stearns) Steffy in Florida Laroy E. Stearns, III and his wife, Susan L. (Day) Stearns, of Norton; Penelope J. (Stearns) Moran and her husband, Richard Moran, in Maine and James E. Stearns and his wife, Dawn Stearns, in North Carolina; 11 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; her siblings: Arlene Brown of Lakeville; Mabel Moynihan of Falmouth and Lola Bump of Lakeville and several nieces, nephews, extended family members and dear friends. She was the sister of the late Everett Townsend. Family and friends are cordially invited to attend visitation on Wednesday, February 18, 2015 from 5:00 - 6:45 PM in the "Memorial Chapel" of Dyer-Lake Funeral Home - the national historic Colonel Obed Robinson Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue (exit 5 off I-95 N or S, go right at end of ramp, mile on left), Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. For those in need of a local ride to visitation simply call the funeral home at (508) 695-0200 to make an advance reservation for such gratis transportation. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend the funeral immediately following visitation on Wednesday, February 18, 2015 at 7:00 PM in the "Memorial Chapel" of Dyer-Lake Funeral Home - the national historic Colonel Obed Robinson Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue (exit 5 off I-95 N or S, go right at end of ramp, mile on left), Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. Burial will be in the Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne at a later date. Flowers are accepted or in lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Mrs. Stearns' name may be made to the Community VNA Hospice Care, 10 Emory Street, Attleboro, MA 02703. To send the family a written expression of sympathy or for additional information please visit www.dyer-lakefuneralhome.com . Arrangements are under the direction of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. (508) 695-0200