“It is my sad duty to report the passing of Barbara Anne Mayberry. Born July 7, 1924, Sister Mayberry was a Past National President of the Auxiliary to the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War in 2007.  She passed on Sunday, September 30, 2018, in East Longmeadow, Massachusetts. “

Donald W. Shaw
Commander in Chief
Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War

Barbara Anne Hannon Mayberry (94) departed this world peacefully on Sunday, September 30, 2018. Born on July 7, 1924, to Alice (Dolan) and Charles T Hannon, she was a life-long resident of Springfield, MA, and graduate of Commerce High School as a member of the class of 1942.

Barbara was a good, strong, and independent woman who worked hard all of her life. During WWII, she worked as a member of the office staff at the Springfield Armory. During the early Sixties, she owned a Fred Astaire Dance Studio. In the mid-Sixties, Barbara worked for Friendly’s Corporation as an executive assistant to the Blake family. She was also an insurance agent for Mass Mutual.

For many years, she worked as a sales rep for Collection and Revenue Company of New England. Barbara ended her work years as a bookkeeper for East Longmeadow Community Feed; finally retiring in her late seventies. Barbara was very conscious of our veterans needing assistance. Beginning in the mid-sixties she joined and became an active member of the Pat Ledoux VFW Post 9397 Ladies Auxiliary of Hampden, MA.

She chaired many events including flagging veterans graves, fishing derbies, and awarding local students prizes for civic excellence. She was both secretary and treasurer, and also served as president several times. Over the course of twenty five years, Barbara further demonstrated her devotion to war veterans by volunteering 1150 hours to the Holyoke Soldiers Home / V A Medical Center in North Hampton. Barbara was also fascinated by her Civil War ancestry, especially Patrick Bradley who was captured as a wounded Union soldier and became a survivor of the notorious Andersonville Prison.

She was an active member of the Auxiliary to the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. She was very proud of serving as the National President of this wonderful group in 2007. She was also a trustee for the Grand Army of the Republic Building in downtown Springfield. In addition to being an avid reader, in her spare time Barbara enjoyed gardening, as demonstrated by her lovely backyard with a small man-made pond, flower-lined brick walk, and fifteen foot purple wisteria growing on the fence. She had a fondness for stray dogs, and provided a loving home to Cleo, Rudi, Charlie-Girl, Lady, Keller, and Stella.

Extract from obituary published in The Republican on Oct. 6, 2018