Barbara was born on January 19, 1946 in Taunton, MA where she spent her childhood dreaming of a career in nursing. Even as a young girl, she knew that her calling was to help others, but financial constraints kept her from pursuing her dream until later in life. As a devoted wife, dedicated mother of five children, and fun-loving grandmother to eight, she balanced the demands of caring for a large family with the passion to help her community; never losing sight of her goal to one day become a Registered Nurse.
In the mid 70’s, Barbara broke barriers by becoming the first female preventive maintenance mechanic at Texas Instruments, where she worked until 1979. She cleaned houses in the early 80’s to earn extra money to support her family. In 1988, Barbara began serving her community as a member of the Tiverton School Committee until 1996. In 1991, at the age of 45, she earned her Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification and began her nursing career at Catholic Memorial Nursing Home in Fall River, MA, where she worked for the rest of her life.
In 1996, at the age of 50, Barbara graduated from Bristol Community College with an Associate of Science Degree in Nursing. This milestone was a testament to her determination, hard work, and belief that you can do anything you put your mind to. With this new qualification, Barbara took on roles of increasing responsibility at Catholic Memorial Nursing Home, becoming a Charge Nurse, Nurse Supervisor, and eventually Nurse Manager. Throughout her career, she mentored countless nurses and was a passionate advocate for patient well-being, always ensuring that everyone—patients and nurses alike—was treated with dignity and respect. Barbara loved her job and worked at Catholic Memorial Nursing Home until the day of her passing, which was fitting to her compassionate spirit as she could never truly retire from the job she loved so much.
When Barbara lost her beloved daughter, Diana Lynn Cruz in a drunken driving accident in 1997, she channeled her grief into action by establishing a scholarship at Tiverton High School in her daughter’s memory. This was just one example of her lifelong dedication to education and helping others. Barbara believed firmly that everyone deserves the right to an education and she worked tirelessly to ensure her family and members of her community had the opportunities they needed to succeed.
After Barbara tragically died in a senseless act of violence on November 18, 2023, we knew the best way to honor her was by continuing the same path of giving, by establishing a scholarship in her name. Barbara’s legacy is one of love, service, and inspiration. Through this scholarship, we hope to continue that legacy, by supporting aspiring nurses who embody the same values she held dear—education, hard work, perseverance, and a commitment to helping others.
The loss of Barbara leaves a profound void in the hearts of those fortunate enough to have known her, but may her legacy of compassion, strength, kindness and her enduring impact on the nursing profession serve as a guiding light for future generations of healthcare providers.