Barbara A. (DeVito) Bowers

Barbara A. (DeVito) Bowers, of Newton Highlands passed away on Nov 20, 2021. She was 93. Barbara was a lifelong Newton resident and a graduate of Newton High School. She grew up on Circuit Avenue and lived the majority of her life in her childhood home. She attended Bryant and Stratton in Boston for secretarial school, and worked in the VA hospital system where she met her late husband, Fred. She was a lifelong parishioner of her beloved Mary Immaculate of Lourdes Church, and was active in the Ladies of Sodality. One of the many ways Barbara practiced her Christianity was by volunteering at the Elizabeth Seton Residence in Wellesley and at the former Stone Institute in Newton Upper Falls. One of her fondest memories from youth was a treasured trip by boat from NYC to Europe, with many of her adventures taking place in Italy.

Barbara was the wife of the late Fredson T. Bowers Jr. and is survived by her children: Mary Ellen Bowers of Cambridge, Joyce LeBlanc and her husband Robert of York, ME, Julie Quattrucci of Scituate, Pamela Ward and her husband Justin of Denmark, ME, Carolyn Leskanic of Dedham, and Fredson T. Bowers III of Hong Kong. She is also survived by her eleven grandchildren: Rev. Robert LeBlanc, Jason LeBlanc, Emma Quattrucci, Louis Quattrucci III, John Quattrucci, Conrad Ward, Austin Ward, Zoe Ward, Matthew Leskanic, Lauren Leskanic, and Hailey Leskanic. She was the sister of the late Francis DeVito.

Barbara was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, and her family was the center of her world. She loved music and played the piano beautifully and instilled this passion in her children, driving them several times a week to the All Newton Music School for lessons. She was an avid baker and the aroma of freshly baked goods often wafted throughout the home. Additionally, she dabbled in many crafts, including quilting and needlework. Barbara and Fred summered at their townhouse in York, Maine, where they welcomed family for reunions and cookouts. She enjoyed the simple things in life such as walking, gardening, reading, scenic road trips and ice cream cones. Above all, Barbara will be remembered for her sweet and warm nature, her kindness, and her unyielding devotion to her family and husband, Fred, her greatest love.

Relatives and friends will gather for visiting hours on Sat Nov 27 from 10:00-11:30 at the Eaton Funeral Home 1351 Highland Ave Needham followed by her Mass of Christian Burial at Mary Immaculate of Lourdes Church, Newton Upper Falls at noontime. Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Needham.

Anyone attending the funeral home or church service is required to wear a mask.

In lieu of flowers, a donation in memory of Barbara may be made to the Pine Street Inn, 444 Harrison Avenue, Boston MA 02118 (pinestreetinn.org)