Barbara A. (Rice) Fair
Private funeral services were held at Woodlawn Cemetery for Barbara A. (Rice) Fair, who died on Monday, June 4th at the Indian River Medical Center in Vero Beach, FL, after a long illness. She was 71 years old.
Barbara was born in Lynn but raised & educated in Revere. She was an alumna of Revere High School and Gordon College, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Education. She enjoyed a 27-year-long career with the City of Revere teaching early elementary grades at the Whelan School. She treasured her co-workers and students, and approached her career with passion and zeal. Upon retiring, she and her husband, Tom, relocated to Vero Beach, Florida. Being raised in Revere, Barbara deeply loved the ocean. Throughout her life she and Tom lived in sea-side communities such as Swampscott, Marblehead Neck, Westport and Vero Beach. She and her husband travelled often, especially in the British Virgin Islands, and they made the road trip between Florida and their New England families many times. She and Tom also loved antiquing, and enjoyed scouring yard sales, estate sales and auctions for treasures. She lovingly displayed her extensive collection of dolls crafted by members of the Seminole tribe. Barbara loved both birds and butterflies, sometimes embellishing the “B” of her first name to make it look like a butterfly with closed wings. In retirement, Barbara served as Secretary of her homeowner’s association, as well as Chair of the Architectural Plan Revue Sub-Committee. In these roles, she worked closely with budgets, contractors, architects and home owners, giving her a showcase for her intellect and strong work ethic.
She is the treasured wife of 40 years of Thomas H. Fair of Vero Beach, Fl. Cherished daughter of the late Althea H. (Jones) Rice-Drinkwater & George E. Rice. Adored oldest sister of Dolly Wolfe & husband Gary of Tewksbury, Cynthia A. DeAmelio of Malden and Betty Rice & fiancé Gary Nowlan of Revere. Loved sister-in-law of Linda Henry and husband Jack. Also lovingly survived by the late John “Jack” Drinkwater and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces & grandnephews.
So sorry to hear of Barbara’s passing. I met her on a trip to Europe in 1971. We had such a great time and had many questionable experiences. (not bad,just fun) She went with her friend Sharon Jalbert .I have many fond memoires.