Barbara Blair


BARBARA REBECCA ELION BLAIR
Billerica, MA – Barbara Elion Blair, 85, died peacefully on October 19, 2019 in her home at Brightview Concord
River in Billerica, MA surrounded by family. She was born at Lawrence Memorial Hospital in New London CT to
John Elion and Frances Sussman. Barbara graduated from WMI in New London and attended UConn, but her
college experience was cut short when she returned home to care for her mother until her death at age 47. Rose
Elion began to care for John and they eventually married. Rose became a very good friend to Barbara over the
years. Barbara married Terry Blair in 1954 after he graduated from the Coast Guard Academy and they lived in
many different locations (including CT, MA, IL and Mexico) until their divorce in 1979. At that time, Barbara
graduated from X-ray school at L & M Hospital. She eventually graduated as a nuclear medicine technologist from
Rhode Island Hospital and moved back to work at L & M in 1981 until her retirement. She and Terry renewed their
friendship and lived together for many years until she moved to Billerica in 2017 to be closer to one of their
daughters. She loved being a mother more than anything but also enjoyed daily walks with Terry and their dogs,
travel, music, musing about the meaning and spirit of life and conversations with her very dear circle of friends.
In addition to her parents, Barbara is predeceased by her brother Norman Elion as well as her daughter Christine
Lee. She will be missed by her daughters Karen Blair of Hampden MA, Joyce Blair Emerson of Billerica, MA, and
Linda Blair Phelps of Arcata, CA; their spouses Jed Berliner, Bradley Emerson and Kevin Phelps as well as her
grandchildren, Scott, Christopher, Jay, Rebecca, Sara, Jessie and Justine; also Terry Blair and her wonderful
friends from Brightview, L&M and St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, of which she was a member for nearly 50 years.
A memorial will be held in her honor at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Gales Ferry, CT on Saturday November 23 at 11:00 A.M. In lieu of flowers please donate in her honor to your favorite charity.
Barbara would be pleased to be remembered that way.

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13 Condolences

  1. Mildred Pack on October 21, 2019 at 11:21 pm

    So very sorry for your loss. Never met your Mom, but she sounds like a remarkable, strong woman and a loving Mom to her children.



  2. Cheryl Ward on October 21, 2019 at 11:38 pm

    Joyce and family,

    I’m so sorry for your loss. You all have a special angel looking over you. Cherish all the memories. Sending thoughts and prayers.

    Cheryl



  3. Carla Dexter on October 22, 2019 at 12:08 am

    So very sorry for your loss – your Mom was a lovely lady. Cherish your memories. Hugs!



  4. Pam Flaherty on October 22, 2019 at 12:37 am

    Love, hugs and prayers to all of you. Your mom was a beautiful lady inside and out. This is not an easy time but know that she is at peace and will watch over you. Xoxo



  5. Bob Lord on October 22, 2019 at 1:27 am

    Much love and prayers!



  6. Melissa Hilbert on October 22, 2019 at 1:38 am

    I’m so very sorry for the loss of your mother. She was a wonderful woman. Hugs and prayers to you all.



  7. Gail Frace on October 22, 2019 at 3:44 pm

    I am so sorry for you loss. I am holding you and the rest of your family in my heart and prayers.



  8. Joy and Steve Pike on October 23, 2019 at 1:19 am

    Steve Joy Pike
    We always loved getting together with Barbara. Her zest for life whether it was yoga, bible study, walking by the beach with her sweet dog Sunny. She always made you feel that you were important and what you had to say was too. We are glad we had the chance to get to know this special Lady and she will be missed by so many. She has a special place in heaven now and I know she’s smiling down at us. ❤️



  9. Tina Murray on October 24, 2019 at 1:44 pm

    Joyce & family,

    So sorry for your loss. Thinking of you during this difficult time. It seems like you got your amazing spirit from your mom!



  10. Joanne Pedersen on October 25, 2019 at 5:34 pm

    I am so sorry for your loss. My dog Danny and I met Barbara and her lab Casey through dog training many years ago. We would walk at Harkness every day regardless of the weather. I haven’t seen her for quite a while now, but I will never forget her smile. May her memory be a blessing.



  11. Karen Lee McLane on October 28, 2019 at 7:40 pm

    Joyce, Brad, and family, We are very sorry for the loss of your Mom. She is heaven now rejoicing with the Lord and watching over you all. I am sure my Dad and your Mom have met have become friends. We love you, Karen, Kev, and Kevy



  12. Karen Lee McLane on October 28, 2019 at 7:41 pm

    Joyce, Brad, and family, We are very sorry for the loss of your Mom. She is heaven now rejoicing with the Lord and watching over you all. I am sure my Dad and your Mom have met have become friends. We love you, Karen, Kev, and Kevy <3 <3 <3



  13. Ann Ledger on October 30, 2019 at 12:43 am

    Sorry to hear about your loss. I met Barbara at yoga class at the Senior Center in New London. She was indeed a remarkable and welcoming woman, and I enjoyed knowing her and sharing yoga with her.



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