Barbara Jean Hitchcock

On Saturday, December 5th, 2020, Barbara Jean Hitchcock (Blaikie) cherished mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother of 2 passed away at the age of 96 following a brief illness.

Barbara was born on July 13, 1924 in Winchester, Massachusetts to the later Robert and Ethelyn (Hudson) Blaikie. She was a lifelong resident of Reading, MA. She graduated from Reading Memorial High School where she met her husband the late Donald B. Hitchcock. During WWII she enlisted in the Navy and served as a storekeeper third class while stationed in Washington DC.

She loved her family unconditionally while at the same time bucked the trend of traditional housewife by being a foster mom through the Catholic Charities to hundreds of infants, employed as a commercial portrait artist bringing black and white images to life in color, working as a waitress, and contemplating becoming a professional women’s bowler after qualifying in the late 70’s. Her passion for bowling spanned over 50 years with her Tuesday Morning bowling league with her friends that she only gave up this past September. She could repair anything around the house or create beautiful keepsakes and crafts. She had a passion for collecting antiques and other memorabilia which she displayed around her home. She could often be found completing crossword puzzles or listening to sports in particular tennis and the Red Sox.

She was an avid gardener and could grow just about anything making her yard a palette of colors. Her gardens were featured in the Reading Garden Clubs enchanted garden series. In addition to portrait’s, she loved to paint in oils, in particular landscapes and oceans. She enjoyed traveling, her favorite destination being Hawaii followed closely by Aruba where she could be found enjoying the sunshine and water. Most of all she enjoyed being surrounded by her family whether it was relaxing in the sun by her swimming pool during the summer or celebrating Christmas after converting her home into a winter wonderland for everyone to enjoy. She was an inspiration to those who met her and will be missed by all who knew her.

She is the mother of the late Steven Hitchcock of California, Scott Hitchcock and wife Nancy of Florida, Nancy (Hitchcock) Wilson of Reading. She also leaves her grandson Jesse Wilson and his wife Sarah of Reading as well as her great-grandchildren Tucker and Reese Wilson.

Funeral services will be private. In lieu of flowers, she requested donations be made in her name to Perkins School for the Blind, MSPCA, Sawtelle House Hospice, or the charity of your choice.