Obituary of Barbara Wilbur Roberts

Barbara Wilbur Roberts, 80, of Duxbury, passed away on Sunday, April 23, 2023 at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Plymouth surrounded by her family.

A native of Camden, Barbara left the state of Maine after graduation, but never lost her love of her childhood community, or her accent. A chance meeting at a New Hampshire ski club led to marriage in 1969 to Clayton H. Roberts, Jr. Soon after, she moved to Duxbury, making her home and raising a family on Chandler Street for the next fifty-three years. Her backyard and pool were always open for neighborhood gatherings, family parties, and, for five summers, beloved guests from Ireland. She was active for many years in Pilgrim Church, Duxbury, where she made lasting friendships. A lifelong learner, she earned her associate degree from Massasoit Community College where she was involved with the International Club. As a longtime employee of the Magic Dragon Children’s Center, she devoted herself to the early childhood education of Duxbury children for over two decades before her retirement. In her later years, she never missed an opportunity to travel, care for her garden, walk around the bog adjacent to her house, visit Old Sturbridge Village, or spend time with her grandchildren and friends.

She is survived by husband Clayton H. Roberts, Jr.; son Kyle and his partner Crisostomo Gouveia of Malden, MA; daughter Darcie, her husband Douglas Belisle, and their children Armand James and Megan Elizabeth, of Burlington, VT; brother Richard Wilbur and his wife Dorothy of Georgetown, ME; and numerous loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Visiting hours will be held on Sunday, April 30th, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the Shepherd Funeral Home, 216 Main St. Kingston, MA. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (https://www.alz.org/).