Barbara A. Mahanna

Barbara A. (Farrell) Mahanna, a resident of Mansfield, and formerly a long time resident of Westford passed away peacefully on Monday, March 29, 2021 at the age of 81 surrounded by her loving family.

Born in Brockton on August 8, 1939, she was a daughter of the late Thomas and Irene (Dunn) Farrell. She graduated from Brockton High School in 1957 and from St. Elizabeth's School of Nursing in Boston in 1960. Barbara later returned to receive her bachelor's degree from Merrimack College in North Andover in 1980. She was proud to be a Registered Nurse and worked at several area hospitals in different capacities until her retirement from Emerson Hospital in Concord in 2004. Barbara also volunteered for many years for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the Cameron Senior Center in Westford, St. Catherine of Alexandria Parish in Westford, and most recently at the Holy Family Monastery in West Hartford, CT.

Barbara was the loving wife of the late Richard E. "Buddy" Mahanna who predeceased her in 1998 after 35 years of marriage. Barbara and Buddy first settled in Chelmsford and then moved to Westford where they raised their family together. Barbara's passions included hosting large family gatherings and following the activities of her grandchildren.  She was an excellent cook and entertainer.  She was happiest when her home was full of family and friends and especially her grandchildren. She also enjoyed going on outings with her many friends, and was proud of the friendships she maintained with some of her devoted friends since childhood.  Their trips together in her later years brought tremendous joy to her life.  Barbara loved to travel having journeyed to many locations including Ireland, Italy, France, Hawaii and Alaska. After retirement Barbara moved to Farmington, CT in 2011 and most recently returned to Mansfield in 2018.

Barbara was a devoted mother and is survived by her four children and their spouses, Cathy and Thomas Puleo of West Hartford, CT, Thomas and Tracey Mahanna of Westford, Mark and Jeanne Mahanna of Norwood, Stephen and Noreen Mahanna of Yorktown, NY. She was also the proud Gramma to nine grandchildren, Kevin, Brian and Kaitlyn Puleo, Christopher, Catherine, Benjamin, Jessica, Evan and John Mahanna. She was the devoted sister of Thomas and Diana Farrell of Mansfield; and sister-in-law to James and the late Virginia Mahanna of Brockton and the loving aunt to all her many nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to remember Barbara at the Westford Healy Funeral Home, 57 North Main Street, Westford, MA from 5:00-7:00 PM on Monday, April 5, 2021. Due to gathering restrictions her Funeral Mass will be held privately but can be attended remotely at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, April 6, 2021 at the following link:
https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/22806487

In lieu of flowers donations in Barbara's memory may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 220 North Main Street Suite 104, Natick, MA 01760 or www.cff.org/Mass-RI