Published in the January 31, 2019 edition.
WAKEFIELD — Barbara A. DeCecca, 86, of Wakefield and formerly of Methuen, passed peacefully on January 14, 2019 surrounded by family at the Sawtelle Family Hospice House in Reading.
She was born in Melrose on November 29, 1932 and was the daughter of the late James V. and Marguerite (Muse) Whitney of Melrose.
Barbara was a graduate of the Stoneham High School, Class of 1950. She had been a Wakefield resident since 1952 and was also a member of St. Florence Church.
She is survived by the love of her life, Ralph “Brud” DeCecca with whom she spent 66 years of marriage. Barbara was the loving mother of James DeCecca, Marie Paiva, Annette Duffy, Darlene Krawczyk, Michael DeCecca and Cheryl Flynn. Barbara was a dedicated and loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and she always put her family first in her life. Barbara is also survived by her 12 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her two grandsons John Joseph Flynn and Joseph Andrew Flynn and her brother Richard Whitney of Exeter, N.H.
Barbara was supportive of her children through every stage of their lives. She was warm and loving and always an advocate for encouraging her family to be the best version of themselves and consistently demonstrated that through her strong personality and character.
She had many passions in her life such as gardening, yard sales, bingo, most especially spending time with her family. One of her greatest enjoyments was dancing with her husband Brud also known as Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. Their dancing was graceful and magical and everybody loved watching them on the dance floor. She especially loved traveling to their homes in Florida and New Hampshire.
Barbara will be missed dearly by all those she leaves behind and whose lives she touched.
A private service was held for Barbara at the McDonald Funeral Home in Wakefield on January 19.
