Barbara M Ricard

Barbara M. (Antonio) Ricard, 82 of Worcester passed away peacefully Friday, August 21, 2015, surrounded by her family after a six year valiant battle with cancer. Barbara was born in Clinton Massachusetts on July 1, 1933. She was one of four children born to George P. and Mary (Gibbons) Antonio. She grew up in Clinton, and graduated from Clinton High School class of 1951. At the age of 19, Barbara married Robert C. Ricard; moved to Worcester with Robert and began to raise her family with love, dedication and devotion for the next 21 years before Robert passed away in 1973 from leukemia. At a recent high school reunion, Barbara wrote, "I was married at the age of 19 and a widow with five teenagers and an 11 year old at the age of 40. I went to work at this time, having not worked since graduating from CHS". Barbara resiliently supported and continued to raise her family and care for her children and her home. She supported her children by accepting a position in the Escort and Dispatch Department at the University of Massachusetts Hospital, later as a respiratory aid and secretary for a total of 27 years with Umass before retiring in 2006. Barbara was a member of Our Lady of the Rosary Church. She enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, gardening and helping anyone who needed or asked for her help. A perfectionist in everything, Barbara was a fighter to survive. Diagnosed with lung cancer in 2009 and given a few months to live, she persevered and fought the disease for the next six years. Barbara is survived by her five devoted children; Deborah M. Gesuse and her husband Robert, Donna J. Harvey and her husband Gerald, Robert C. Ricard, Jr and his wife Jacqueline, Denise M. Urella and her husband David, Ronald A. Ricard and his wife Lynn; a brother, Richard M. Antonio and sister, Sandra Innerasky; 13 grandchildren; 9 great grandchildren; her best friend and pet companion who never left her side, "Sammy"; nieces nephews, extended family and friends. Besides her husband Robert, Barbara was predeceased by a daughter, Diane M. DePari in 2011 and a brother George Antonio Jr. Friends and relatives are invited to calling hours Monday, August 24th from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm in the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St. Worcester, MA. Her funeral will be held Tuesday, August 25th from the funeral home with a procession to Our Lady of Rosary Church; 35 Fales St., Worcester, MA. Her Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 am. Burial next to her husband will follow in St John Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Leukemia Association of Massachusetts, 9 Erie Drive, Natick or the Beacon Hospice, 160 Speen St suite 205, Framingham Mass 01701. The family would like to express their special thanks and appreciation to Dr. James Liebmann and staff at UMass, for the care, comfort and compassion during a difficult time.