Mother of Harvard resident, life-long learner
Vera R. (Rawchuck) Barney, 98, died peacefully at her daughter’s home in Harvard, on Saturday, June 8, 2013, after a brief illness.
Vera was born in Cambridge, June 13, 1914, a daughter of Ukrainian immigrants, Daniel and Martha (Douholuk) Rawchuck. She graduated from Marlborough High School, and attended Boston University for one year, where she studied drafting and architectural design. Vera enjoyed working at Fort Devens Army and Air Force exchange from 1961-1988.
Vera and her husband, the late Grover C. Barney Jr., lived in Lunenburg all of their married life.
A creative woman, Vera loved art, making flower arrangements, and traveling. She was an avid reader. Vera was an active member of the Eagle House Senior Center in Lunenburg and was loved by her many friends. A forward thinker with an inquisitive mind who never lost her love of learning, Vera will be remembered for her great perspective of life.
Vera leaves her two daughters, Vera Anne Larkin of Harvard, and Ellen M. Vernon and her husband, Michael, of Seattle, Wa.; one daughter-in-law, Maureen Barney of Chicago, Ill.; four grandsons, Thomas Larkin, Joseph Larkin, Evan Vernon, and Mark Vernon; two sisters, Anna Maruca and Anita Nestor, both of Oceanside, Calif.; one sister-in-law, Nina Rawchuck of Valley Center, Calif.; six nieces and nephews, and several great-nieces and great-nephews. She was predeceased by her son, Daniel G. Barney, and two brothers, William Rawchuck and Nicholas Rawchuck.
Funeral services and burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, Vera’s family asks that memorial contributions be made in her name to WGBH, 1 Guest Street, Boston, MA 02135, to help PBS Television.
