Barbara A. (bailey) Lawson

Atkinson, NH: Barbara Ann (Bailey) Lawson, beloved grandmother, mother, wife, friend, and Angel on Earth departed this world on Thursday, August 14, 2014 after an eleven-year battle with cancer. Through her life, she has been an inspiration to all who have been fortunate enough to know her, and has made her biggest "hobby" taking care of those she loved.

Barbara, or "Barbie" as she is affectionately known, was born in Portland, ME on February 17, 1944 to the late Ralph Alvah Bailey and Leslie Elizabeth Jenks Bailey of Cumberland, Maine. As Valedictorian of Greely Institute's Class of 1962, she was voted "most studious", and soon thereafter earned her degree in English and Latin from the University of Maine at Orono.

Barbie met her husband of forty-eight years, Bob, at the Freshman Mixer on their first day of college, and they married on graduation day when she left her beloved Maine for a new life in Oklahoma. Barbara became a teacher and advisor to the cheerleading squad at Perkins High School in Perkins, OK, and later taught at Masconomet High School in Boxford, MA.

Motherhood became Barbie's number-one priority after her daughters, Kristin and Tracy, were born, and she raised them in the midst of "the most wonderful neighbors" in Atkinson, NH. During this time, Barbie found time to participate in the UNH Ladies Extension, and worked as a clerk at the IRS in Andover, MA. The more recent presence of her four "littlest angels" – her grandchildren, Emily, Grace, Alivia and Cameron- has brightened her every day and given her the strength to take on her debilitating illness and persevere for the last eleven years.

Although her physical presence no longer exists, her love, smile and her famous "Barbara Lawson Hugs" will live on forever in those who love her most- her husband, Robert Lawson, of Atkinson, NH, daughter and son-in-law, Kristin and Jason Schlesinger of Greenbrae, CA, daughter and son-in-law, Tracy and Andy Duffy of Epsom, NH, her four loving grandchildren, cousin Barry Doughty of Millinocket, ME, her extended New Hampshire and Maine family, and "the best friends she could ever ask for."

Calling hours will be held on Monday, August 18, 2014 from 6 to 8 pm at Brookside Chapel and Funeral Home, 116 Main Street, Route 121A, Plaistow, NH. A funeral service will be held at 10 am on Tuesday, August 19, 2014 at the Atkinson Congregational Church, 101 Main Street, Atkinson, NH with a Committal Service to follow at 2 pm at Brooklawn Memorial Park, South Portland, Maine. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in memory of Barbara A. Lawson to support cancer research and patient care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284 or via www.dana-farber.org/gift. To leave a message of condolence for the family please visit our website, www.brooksidechapelfh.com.