Barbara L. DeCoste Obituary
Barbara L. (Duchane) DeCoste, 91 of Beverly, MA formerly of Gloucester, MA, wife of the late Charles L. DeCoste passed away on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, at Beverly Hospital.
She was born in Gloucester, MA on August 24, 1933, daughter of the late Albert and Eleanor (Ross) Duchane.
Barbara was a graduate of Gloucester High School, Class of 1951. She attended Salem State College and graduated in 1955 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. She went on to teach third grade at West Parish School in Gloucester.
In 1956, she married Charles L. DeCoste, and they had 4 children. While raising her family, she substituted and volunteered in local public schools. Later she took courses at Gordon College and Salem State to teach perceptually handicapped children. For several years, she tutored learning disabled children in the Gloucester Public School Systems.
Barbara and Charles enjoyed sailing, and especially taking their children and grandchildren sailing on their summer visits to Gloucester. They also enjoyed travelling.
Barbara was an avid reader. She wrote books for her grandchildren when they were young, and always had a book or poem to entertain her family at her annual Christmas party.
She was a member of the College Women's Club of Cape Ann and the Holy Family Parish Guild.
Barbara is survived by her daughter, Carol Ann Jackson and her husband Wayne of Rowley; 2 sons, Charles L. DeCoste Jr. and his wife Kimberly of Durham, NC and Jeffrey P. DeCoste and his wife Julie of Hollyglen, CA; 7 grandchildren, Erin M. Whittey and her husband David Cerny, Thomas C. Jackson and his wife Alyssa, Jennifer M. DeCoste of NC, Daniel C. DeCoste of NY, Justine N. DeCoste and Katlyn R. DeCoste of Boulder, CO and Jeffrey P. DeCoste Jr. of CA; 4 great-grandchildren, Susana and Marilise Lopez and Claira and Cole Jackson; her sister, Marie Swinson; her brother-in-law, Peter DeCoste and his wife Roberta; sisters-in-law, Roseann Duchane and Judith DeCoste, and many nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her daughter, Katherine M. Whittey; granddaughter, Megan Whittey; brother, Paul Duchane and brother-in-law, Leonard DeCoste.
A visitation will be held at the Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington Street, Gloucester on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, from 9:30 to 11:00 AM, followed by a service at 11:00, and burial at Seaside Cemetery, Gloucester. Family and friends are cordially invited to attend.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her name to St. Ann's Church, Holy Family Parish, 60 Prospect Street, Gloucester, MA 01930.
