Barbara Jean Nunez

                                                                                                             Barbara Jean Nuñez

                                                                                                   September 25, 1943 - July 29, 2022

Barbara Jean Nuñez passed peacefully at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Brighton, MA on July 29, 2022. Barbara was born on September 25, 1943 in High Coal, West Virginia to William and Rose (Saunders) James, Sr. of Algoma, West Virginia.

As an adult, Barbara moved to New York City where she fell in love with and married Angel Nuñez, Sr., an aspiring actor. They moved to Boston where they raised four children: Angel Nuñez, Jr. (Dana Marchello), Randolph, MA; Neil Nuñez (Heidy), West Medford, MA; Carlos Nuñez (Jessie Castillo), Belmont, MA; Mark Nuñez (Bonnie Liriano), Brookline, MA.

Barbara was highly proficient in upholstery having trained in the craft in Boston. She was passionate about her community and active during the integration of Boston Public Schools, serving as a bus monitor and lunch mother.

Barbara was also a skilled knitter and seamstress, often altering back to school clothes for neighborhood children.

In her later years, Barbara’s activism extended to local housing issues and public safety, taking a special interest in car and pedestrian safety at the entrance of Mission Park on Huntington Avenue. She received special commendations from the City of Boston and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for her work. 

Barbara had a love of music, especially the blues. This love could be heard by her neighbors, sometimes late into the night!

A special moment for Barbara was meeting one of her idols, LaVern Baker. Rumor has it she joined her on stage for a song.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, her former husband, her sister, Doris Remona Webb of Dayton, Ohio, and her brothers, Leopold James of Phoenix, Arizona and William James, Jr. of Bassett, Virginia.

She is survived by her sons, 12 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, her sisters Vondelere B. White, Rose James Scott, Sharon (Ronnie) Stinson, her brother Wayne (Bonnie) James, all of Dayton, Ohio and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation Wednesday, August 10, 2022, 4 P.M. - 7 P.M. in the Lehman Reen McNamara Funeral Home 63 Chestnut Hill Ave Brighton

Family Service  7 P.M. - 8 P.M.  Lehman, Reen & McNamara Funeral Home 63 Chestnut Hill Avenue Brighton, MA

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