Barbara R. Baggaley, 87

CONCORD — Barbara Ruth (Forrester) Baggaley passed away peacefully with her children by her side on April 1, 2024, after a wonderful life that led her in many directions.

Barbara was born to Leander and Jimmie Forrester in Hazen, Arkansas, on Aug. 2, 1936. A few years later her sister Phyllis joined the family and it wasn’t long before the four of them packed their bags for a new life in New Jersey where Leander and Jimmie both found jobs supporting the war efforts.

Barbara graduated from Hamilton High School West in 1954 where she met her future husband, Jack "Jake" Baggaley. The two were married on Oct. 21, 1955, and Barbara began work in banking. Together they raised three children and made their home in Mercerville, New Jersey.

As her husband’s career changed, so did Barbara’s. After banking and secretarial work for a few local firms, she found her dream job at Princeton University where she became the administrative secretary of the biology department, made many friends and enjoyed the culture that the university had to offer. The family lived in Washington’s Crossing State Park in Titusville for several years until Jack’s career required another move to Jackson, New Jersey, but she continued her commute to Princeton until their retirement in 1988. That allowed them to move to New Hampshire, where with the help of the family they built a beautiful log home in Alton, raising chickens, turkeys, and small livestock. Barbara went back to work at the NH Statehouse, assisting committees and state representatives, including then State Rep. Jeb Bradley.

Finally retiring once again, the couple then decided to move to the tiny town of Heislerville, New Jersey, on the shores of the Delaware Bay. There they grew blueberries, pole beans and other vegetables, for sale to those who visited the bay each summer. In 2019 they returned to Concord, to be near their children, grandchildren and the rapidly growing number of great-grandchildren.

Barbara was a quiet person known as the family historian. Besides researching genealogy, she loved sewing, history and antiques, crossword puzzles, bird watching, and most of all, her beautiful gardens.

Barbara is survived by her husband of nearly 70 years, Jack; sister Phyllis Bixby of High Point, North Carolina; brother-in-law Roger McMahon; children Donna Rhodes of Bristol, Daniel Baggaley and Donna Deyo, and Dianne and Jeff Moulton of Bow; Grandchildren Nick Moulton and Mary Peace of Manchester, Kate and Joe Marcel of Dunbarton, Carly and Kevin Bournival of Goffstown, Samuel and Allison Baggaley of Epping and Jacob Baggaley of Litchfield. In addition to all of them, Barbara enjoyed the love and entertainment of her seven great-grandchildren as she looked forward to the arrival of her eighth in late spring.

Services for her will take place on April 22 at 2 p.m. at the Clara B. Perkins Memorial Chapel at Blossom Hill Cemetery at 207 N. State St., Concord, followed by a reception at Bennett Funeral Home, 3 Church St., Concord. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Barbara’s name be made to Calvary Baptist Church, 200 W. South Front, Hazel, AR, 72064.