Barbara Eileen Cleary

Barbara Eileen Cleary of Brookline, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on June 21 after a brief illness. She will be sorely missed by her brother Michael Cleary and his wife Teri Galvez, her sister Maureen Parsons and her husband Benjamin Parsons, her sister Karen Cleary, her sister Patricia Cleary and her husband Will Stevens, and by the most important person in her life, her loving son Michael F Cleary.

Barbara was born at the Bethlehem Hospital, The Hague, Netherlands on June 17, 1958.  This was the start of an interesting and well-traveled childhood, moving with the family to Bremen, Germany, Liverpool and Richmond Upon Thames, England. Barbara enjoyed her final years living in Brookline, MA, not far from her sister Maureen. Her greatest joy was her son, Michael F Cleary and the love that they shared. 

As a child she was fearless and sought out  challenges and adventures. Barbara excelled at Lady Eleanor Hollis in Hampton, England where she pursued her love of sports, and academic studies. Unafraid of change, Barbara switched schools to attend Huyton College in Liverpool, finally moving closer to home to attend Marymount International School in Kingston-Upon-Thames with two of her sisters. 

Barbara earned a Masters in Journalism at Boston University, after which she pursued opportunities where she could express her love of words and investigative skills working

for daily and weekly newspapers.

For the past 18 years, Barbara has enjoyed a long-standing career at Harvard Business School. Barbara volunteered for Boston Shines and routinely joined walks for charity with her son Michael by her side. 

Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Ellen M. Gifford Cat Shelter or a charity of your choice.  

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