Martha M. (Daigle) Barber

Martha Marie (Daigle) Barber, 95, of Twin Lake Avenue, Coventry, RI, passed away on Saturday, January 20, 2018 at home. Born on August 10, 1922 in Edmunston, New Brunswick, Canada, was the wife of the late Kenneth G. Barber and the daughter of the late Fred and Marie (Lachance) Daigle.

Throughout her life she was actively involved in many charitable groups, recreational groups and political activities and offices. She worked many years at the Coventry Nursing Home taking care of elderly, many younger than she. She was the recipient of numerous civic awards.

Martha served on the Coventry Public School Committee and chairperson for eight years, worked for the Coventry Health Center as a nurse’s aide and an active member and worker at the Coventry Senior Citizens Center in the kitchen and meals on wheels.

Martha’s accomplishments and organizations consisted of the co-creation of the Coventry Pop Warner Football League and cheerleader’s association, creator of the Coventry Volunteer Youth Group, member of the United Cerebral Palsy Foundation at R.I. Hospital and fundraisers for Muscular Dystrophy Foundation with Jerry Lewis, honorary member of the Girl Scouts of Rhode Island and Coventry Citizen of the Year in 1970. She received numerous commendations from state and local representatives for her active service to the community.

She was most proud of her seven adult children, fourteen grandchildren, fifteen great grandchildren and one great, great grandchild.

Martha is survived by six children; Rosemarie Laurent and her spouse James of Kingston R.I., John Barber and wife Diane of Deltona, Fl., Betty Cady of Gaffney, South Carolina, Kenneth Barber of Coventry, R.I. and Fl., Lyn Geer of Warwick, R.I., and Jody Barber Odlin of Gurnsey, England fourteen grandchildren, fifteen great grandchildren and a great, great grandchild. She was predeceased by a daughter: Lisa Marie Barber.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, January 25, 2018 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm in the Gorton-Menard Funeral Home and Crematory, 721 Washington Street, Coventry, RI. Services and burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers donations in her memory can be made to: Coventry High School Scholarship Fund, 40 Reservoir Road, Coventry, RI 02816, VNA Care New England, Hospice Branch, 51 Health Lane, Warwick, RI, 02886 or United Cerebral Palsy of RI, 200 Main Street, Ste. 210, Pawtucket, RI 02860.

For online condolences please visit www.gortonmenardfuneralhome.com