Obituary of Barbara D. (Donnelly) Fritz

Danvers - Barbara D. (Donnelly) Fritz, 65, beloved wife of John Fritz of Danvers, died Sunday at the Lahey Clinic Medical Center Hospital in Burlington following a brief illness. Born in Bridgeport, CT she was the daughter of the late Thomas F. and Margaret (Mylen) Donnelly. She lived there in her youth where she attended schools, and graduated from Notre Dame High School. She then graduated from the University of Connecticut and studied at Boston University with degrees in Psychology and Special Education. She lived in Groveland for 35 years, and in Danvers for the last two years. Mrs. Fritz started her career in vocational rehabilitation as a counselor at Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries. She then enjoyed her career for nearly 30 years as a Senior Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission working throughout the North Shore. She had a special affiliation with the Lynn Friendship Club. She was recognized professionally for her dedication and skills that she earned an Elkins Award and the MRC Commissioners Outstanding Performance Award. Barbara continued working after her retirement from MRC at Community Enterprises of Salem and Gloucester, where she was the Director for Recreation serving people with brain injuries. She enjoyed traveling and her family has fond memories of her trips, and will be remembered for her loving and nurturing spirit. She loved being supportive of her extended family by going to the children's soccer, baseball games, and she was a loyal fan of the Boston Red Sox. She will be dearly missed by her family including her husband John Fritz of Danvers, with whom she shared nearly 40 years of marriage; a daughter, Amy Fritz of Quincy; a brother, Richard Donnelly, Sr. of Stratford, CT; a sister, Joan Harper of Westport, CT; many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces & great-nephews, and her dear, close friends Rachel and Chad Burke and Mitchell and Matthew DiStefano by whom she was known as "Baba", their adopted grandmother. Relatives and friends are invited to gather on Thursday May 21, 2009 from 4 – 8 PM in the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St. location, Peabody, and a Tribute Ceremony at 7:45 P.M. Memorial donations may be made to either the Lynn Friendship Club, 66 Silsbee St. Lynn, MA or to Community Enterprises, Salem, MA. A memorial gathering will be forthcoming to which all are invited to join in celebrating Barbara's life on Saturday June 20, 2009 at the Community Room at Olde Salem Village in Danvers.