Dorothea Barbara (Mcnally) Ciampa

Dorothea Barbara (McNally) Ciampa of Lexington, passed away March 16, 2018.  A memorial service to celebrate the life of Barbara Ciampa will be held on Saturday, September 15 ^th at 11 A.M.  First Parish Church, 7 Harrington Rd., Lexington, MA. A gathering and light luncheon will immediately follow at the church.

Barbara will be remembered for her vivacious, independent spirit.  Her keen and lively political discourse is truly missed by her family and friends.

She overcame several serious health challenges during her long life, beating tuberculosis twice during her youth and breast cancer in her later years.  While she was at a tuberculosis sanatorium for several years during the 1940’s, she began lifelong friendships with other patients.  It was there that she developed a compassion to help others who were suffering, and this experience fueled her interest in social work.  Her formative years were shaped by World War II and she often spoke emotionally of her many classmates lost to that war.  During the 1940’s, Barbara worked her way through college as a USO singer with various dance bands.  She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Rhode Island and her master’s degree from Simmons College.  She was the medical social director for 3 hospital social work departments in the Boston area during her long career.  In the 1960’s, she lived in Caracas, Venezuela where she was a consultant to Servicio Social International, an agency involved in adoption, repatriation and refugee settlement.  She was an anti-war and civil rights activist during the 1960’s.  Finalizing her 50 year career in social work, Barbara retired as the Director of the Winchester Council on Aging at the Jenks Center.

Barbara was engaged in many volunteer activities in Lexington, her home since 1959.  Most importantly: Board of Directors of Minuteman Senior Services, The Lexington Symphony and Non-Profit Net, Inc.  She was a member of the Lexington League of Women Voters, Lexington Historical Society, Lexington Human Services Committee and Brookhaven Friends of Music.

She was the recipient of the Massachusetts Cultural Council Leadership Circle Award for her ongoing support of community arts.  In 2008, she received the Minuteman Cane Award for her volunteer contributions to the Lexington community.

Daughter of the late Edward McNally Sr. and Rhea-Germaine (Monest) McNally.  Mother of Peter Ciampa and Cynthia Savage and her husband Lester all of Lexington.  Proud grandmother of Kelsey, Lester and Harrison Savage.  Sister of Edward McNally Jr. of Rhode Island and the late Kenneth McNally.  Survived by several nieces and nephews.

Contributions in her memory may be made to either: The Lexington Symphony, P.O. Box 194 Lexington, MA 02420 or The Lexington Historical Society, P.O. Box 514, Lexington, MA 02420.

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