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Barbara L. Jones

Barbara L. Jones of Arlington, MA, passed away peacefully in the presence of her three loving children on June 13, 2024. She was born in Cambridge, MA on July 12, 1948, daughter of the late Paul S. Jones and Pauline (Daltry) Jones. Barbara grew up in Arlington, MA, where she graduated from Arlington High School in 1966. She was a single mother with the responsibility of raising three young children, working at the Arlington Town Hall. In 1977, Barbara began to encounter vision problems, leading to the enucleation of her left eye. Despite this setback, she enrolled herself in a trade school, which led her to a career working for Pitney Bowes as a copier repair technician. Around 1984, Barbara tragically lost vision in her right eye due to complications from Uveitis and was unable to continue working at Pitney Bowes. This challenged Barbara, but it did not slow her down in her quest to provide for her family. Barbara, once again, picked herself up, and sought admission into the Carroll Center for the Blind in Newton, MA, where she learned to adapt to life without vision. Shortly after, around 1985, Barbara welcomed Union, the first of many beautiful German Shepherd Dog guides into her newly adapted life. With the aid of Union, Barbara re-learned how to navigate her new life and the streets of Arlington. Barbara loved each of her Guide dogs; Union, Blaze, Cammy, Bree, and Taz, and always talked about how they had given her freedom. Upon completion of her education at The Carroll Center, Barbara took a remote job utilizing her typing skills as a medical transcriptionist for Wakefield/ Melrose Hospital before retirement. Over the years, Barbara could be seen fearlessly walking everywhere in Arlington or taking the bus from one place to another with her guide dogs. She never turned away from a challenge. Once retired, Barbara became a fierce advocate volunteering with the Arlington Commission on Disabilities. She worked tirelessly with town officials to get brick sidewalks corrected, tree overhangs blocking sidewalks trimmed, and tactile curb cuts installed at street crossings. Her proudest accomplishment was being the prime advocate for Arlington receiving grants to install audible signals at every traffic light or crosswalk throughout the town. For many years, Barbara also served multiple roles volunteering with the German Shepherd Rescue of New England, advocating for the German Shepherd Dog breed, a cause near and dear to her heart. Most notably, she volunteered as a transportation coordinator, arranging the moving of many dogs from shelters, owners, and animal control officers to a foster home. Barbara always had a house full of friends and family, entertaining or having weekend cookouts. Her three children Jocelyn, Jason, and Jenna were her everything. No matter the circumstance she sprung into action to guide, console, protect, and provide for them. She taught them to be responsible, compassionate, accepting of others, and motivated individuals. Barbara was known to support friends and strangers in times of need. She thrived on helping others. She counseled, consoled, and lent a hand to everyone and anyone when needed. She was the friend that was always a friend and pillar of strength. Barbara had a heart of gold and would always stand up for herself, her friends, and especially her children. From 2009 on, Barbara was hit with health issue after health issue. However, again, she never let any one of those issues stop her. She researched and challenged each of her doctors to go beyond what they regularly practiced and to look deeper. She took a holistic approach, coupled with a non-invasive treatment to conquer lung cancer, proving again, she could not be stopped. Despite cardiac issues, diabetes, vision impairment, small battles with three different types of cancer, coupled with the effects of solitude that the Covid pandemic brought, it was pulmonary disease that slowed her down and ultimately a hard fought, courageous battle with respiratory failure that took her life. Barbara leaves behind her devoted guide dog Taz, daughter Jocelyn and her husband Jay Henebury and three beautiful grandchildren (which she adored), Kayli, Lauren and Michael of Arlington, MA, her son Jason Murray and his wife Roberta of Woburn, MA, her youngest daughter Jenna Murray of Londonderry NH, her sister Carol Lisio-Sackos, her brother Steven and wife Linda Jones, as well as many nieces, nephews, and life long friends, all whose lives she enhanced and enjoyed. She will be missed dearly. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Visiting Hours from 4:00pm to 7:00pm at Keefe Funeral Home, 5 Chestnut Street, ARLINGTON. Interment private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Barbara Jones ([email protected]) to the German Shepherd Rescue of New England at www.gsrne.org

July 12, 1948 - June 13, 2024

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