Obituary of Barbara J. Henry

Barbara J. Henry, 61, of Peabody Massachusetts died on Saturday morning at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers, Massachusetts. She was born September 20, 1944 in Salem, Massachusetts; the daughter of the late Thomas F. Jr. and Esther "Babe" M. Henry of Salem, MA and is the lifetime partner of Joyce Simmons. Barbara was the sister of Michael F. Henry of Niskayuna, NY and Patricia A. Krupsky of Maine; and the sister-in-law of Patricia Lucas. Barbara was an aunt to David Henry of Tewksbury, MA, Kelly Henry of Wellesley, MA, Stephanie Musgrave and Christopher Lucas of Salem, MA, Daniel Horan and Susan Horan of Lynn, MA and a Great Aunt to 9 great-nieces and great-nephews. Barbara leaves many friends. She attended Salem public elementary schools, Ste. Chretienne Academy, Salem High School, North Shore Community College and Salem State College. A published poet, she was the owner and operator of the Whistlestop Diner on Railroad Avenue in Peabody Square. If you visited the diner, then you know what a unique experience going there was and what a unique person Barbara was. In response to a question from a Boston Globe reporter who visited the diner, she responded, "Life is hard. It's not about that. It's about what you do in response to that". "The gift is in the giving" was Barbara's way of life. Prior to buying the diner, she served in the United States Navy and worked in several local businesses as an accountant. She was an activist in raising funds for cancer research for the North Shore Medical Center through numerous events including an annual cookout held at the Whistlestop Diner. Barbara and Joyce made fund-raising for cancer research a year round activity and there was always an opportunity to make a contribution for that research if you stopped in at the diner. There will be calling hours from 4:00 to 7:30 PM on Wednesday at the Conway Cahill Brodeur Funeral Home at 20 Church Street, Peabody, MA. There will be a short memorial service following the visiting hours. Interment at Saint Mary's Cemetery will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that contributions be made in Barbara's memory to the Kaplan Family Hospice House. Donations can be sent to Hospice of the North Shore, c/o Gail Thompson, 10 Elm Street, Danvers, MA 01923