Barbara Lawton

Barbara A. (Gibney) Lawton, 72, of Laurel Street, passed away, Tuesday, February 26, 2008, in UMass Hospital, surrounded by her loving family. She is survived by two sons, Michael J. Lawton and his wife Kathleena of Auburn, and Thomas R. Lawton and his wife Linda of Worcester; four daughters, Debrah A. Goodman, Tracy L. Cartagena and her husband David, Kelly A. Petrone and her husband Anthony, and Gloria J. Rosario and her husband Danny all of Worcester; her former husband, Arthur Lawton of Worcester; a brother, William Gibney of Benton, LA; two sisters, Grace Keyes and Annie Bink both of Albany; twelve grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; as well as many friends who considered her a second mother. Her son, Arthur Lawton, Jr., pre-deceased her in 1983. She was born in Albany, the daughter of James and Evelyn (Lovely) Gibney. After she graduated from high school in Albany, she moved to Hartford, Connecticut, before settling in Worcester, forty years ago to raise her family. Barbara was a member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel-Saint Ann Church. She enjoyed staying aware of the city around her by listening to her police scanner. She also enjoyed playing the lottery. Barbara was a loving person, and she considered many of her children's friends her own. The funeral for Barbara will be held Friday, February 29, from MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation Street, Worcester, with a Mass at 11 a.m. in Our Lady of Mount Carmel-Saint Ann Church, 24 Mulberry Street, Worcester. Interment will follow in Saint John's Cemetery. Calling hours will be held Thursday, February 28, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. in the funeral home.