Barbara Ann (Murdock) Harnden
Barbara Ann (Murdock) Harnden of Milton died on Thursday, June 25, 2020, passing away peacefully at home after a valiant seven-year battle with cancer. She was 63 years old.
Born September 15, 1956 to the late Vincent and Virginia Murdock, she was raised in Milton, graduated Milton High School in 1974 and graduated the University of Massachusetts-Amherst in 1978.
Beloved wife of Kevin Harnden, Barbara was the loving mother of Charles Harnden and his wife Amanda of Easton, Erin Harnden Young and her husband Barry of Braintree and Jonathan Harnden and his wife Vicky of Pembroke. She was the cherished grandmother of Allison and Nicholas Young and Jacob and Lexia Harnden. She is also survived by her three sisters Virginia (Chester) Freeman of Quincy, Carolyn (Rodney) Fritz of Milton and Jane Murdock of Houston, Texas, and her adoring nephews and nieces – Andrew, John and Christopher Freeman, Anna, Joseph and Neal Fritz, Laura Duplissis and Andrew LeBrun.
Barbara worked for many years performing billing and analysis in nursing home settings, and for Medicare and Medicaid in Massachusetts with Hewlett-Packard and later with Maximus, Inc., retiring in 2018. She also worked for DeWolfe Real Estate in Milton. But her favorite job was undoubtedly back in the 1970s and early 1980s when she worked for the Hendrie’s Ice Cream Plant in Milton, making ice cream novelties and happily driving a forklift.
Barbara’s family meant everything to her. She and Kevin hosted countless family birthdays, Christmas Eve festivities, and Easter brunches. They enjoyed their many summer vacations to the mountains of New Hampshire, as well as visits to Bermuda and any local golf course that would allow them to hack up the turf. They were also 30 year members of the Cunningham Couples Club bowling league. Ever cheerful and optimistic, throughout her life Barbara made and kept wonderful friends everywhere she went. Her UMass friends aptly nicknamed her “Bubbles.”
Her family is especially grateful to her dear friends Judy & Phil Santosuosso, Ann and George Noonan, and Jane Driscoll for their unfailing kindness, love and support during her illness, and also most grateful to the First Parish Unitarian-Universalist and First Congregational Churches of Milton, their pastors, staffs and congregations for the great comfort, support and many prayers they so generously provided.
A private family service was held. A memorial service will be held for family and friends at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Barbara’s memory to: St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105
Guestbook Entries
To the Entire Harnden/Murdock Family:
I am so very sorry for your devastating loss. I admit, sadly, I have not had the honor of knowing the “grown up Barbara” as I have lived far away. Having known Barbara as a young girl growing up I would say Bubbles is an accurate assessment of the Barbara I recall.
I remember her as incredibly sweet and so very adorable and so effervescent and fun. God Bless all of you as you individually deal with your great loss.
Nancy Little Hansen-Phoenix, AZ
Deepest sympathies to Kevin and Charlie, as well as Ginny, Carolyn, and Jane on the passing of my dear cousin, Barbara. She was a real sweetheart, and we’re all going to miss her very much.
My sincere condolences and deepest sympathies to the family. I am so sorry to hear this.
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time. God Bless.
I am truly sorry for your loss. I worked with Barbara at Maximus for years and she was such a beautiful, wonderful, lovely, and kind heart soul. She always happy and funny. She was truly one of a kind. I would like to offer your family my deepest and most sincere condolences. May prayers ease you through this difficult time.
With love,
Kimno
I have had the honor of knowing Barbara since the DeWolfe days. And we have been in book group together for over 20 years.
Barbara was smart, talented, witty and had a wonderfully wry sense of humor. I did not know about the “Bubbles” nickname but I think it was very fitting.
I will never forget her laugh.
A great loss for all.
To the entire Harnden and extended family,
We’re very sad to hear about Barbara. Please accept our sympathy for your loss. Larry Cohan and Pat Kreger
Dear Harnden and Murdock families,
I was shocked and so saddened to read of Barbara’s death.
My sympathy to all of the family. Another member of “Old Milton”
gone. Makes me very sad.
Sincerely
Jimmy Mullen
To the Harnden and Murdock families.
How sad I am to hear about Barbara, aka “Bubbles “. My condolences to you all.
Barbara’s nickname came from her bubbly personality. When she arrived at UMass she was instantly loved. Barbara fit right in with our Chadbourne Dormitory crew. Friendly, fun, and social, she was warm and kind, always laughing and smiling.
Barbara also studied hard and did well. We would study at the Newman Center, with occasion breaks for a “happy hour” at the Pub, or a night out at a disco (Poor Richards). We played some tennis, and occasionally would bowl at the school’s bowling alley.
Barbara loved and adored her family; she spoke of her sisters often. Occasionally they would come to school and visit.
I will always cherish the many many fond memories that I had with her. With heartfelt sympathy,
Bubbles’s college friend “Pal”.