Barbara Albina Rock Hendrickson, aged 79, passed away peacefully on September 10, 2021 due to complications from acute dementia. She was born June 4, 1942 at Providence Hospital in Holyoke to Emile and Gladys Rock. Barbara attended Mater Dolorosa School, then Sacred Heart High School. Barbara went to college later in life to become a paralegal—she first attended Holyoke Community College & received a degree in Computer Science, then went to Elms College & graduated at age 50 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Paralegal Studies.

Barbara loved the world of academia. While pursuing her education and a career as a paralegal, she worked at the Elms in their Computer Office. She was very interested in technology and was happy to help integrate computers into the college’s curriculum. She worked in Springfield at several local law offices, then moved on to become the staff assistant of the School-to-Work program at Greenfield Community College, then the Jump Start Program at Holyoke Community College where she excelled in teaching and assisting students who needed transitional aid into college and the workforce. Barbara was known as a strong & loyal advocate for women pursuing higher education.

For many years, Barbara was a volunteer for numerous facilities and programs. In retirement, she lived on Cape Cod and was part of the Cape Cod Natural History Museum, teaching young children about the ecology of the sea in the Brewster Flats Program. Barbara was overjoyed at the prospect of teaching everything she knew to her grandchildren & their friends, and was always stockpiling books to give to the children in her life.

Barbara is survived by her sister and brother-in-law Carol and William Eynon, former spouse Don Hendrickson, daughter Nancy Hendrickson, daughter Jill & son-in-law John Kovalchik and her beloved grandchildren Caleb & Elena, and her godchildren Ellen Wetzel and David Eynon.

Family & friends are invited to gather for the funeral service on Thursday, September 16, 10:00am at Our Lady of the Cross, Holy Cross Avenue in Holyoke. Burial will follow at the Forestdale Cemetery, Holyoke. Calling hours will be at the Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home on Wednesday, September 15, 4-7pm, masks required. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Cape Cod Museum of Natural History online at https://www.ccmnh.org/Donate or checks can be sent to: Cape Cod Museum of Natural History, 869 Route 6A, Brewster, MA 02631