Obituary: Barbara Perdue, 77, Founded Friends of Winthrop School

Barbara (Sixt) Perdue, 77, of Danvers, formerly of Hamilton, Sarasota, Fla. and Aiken, S.C., died on July 23, 2014 after a four year struggle with Pulmonary Fibrosis, a disease with no known cause or cure.

She was the wife of Carl M. Perdue, her loving husband of 54 years and her dedicated caretaker throughout her illness.

Born in New Brunswick, N.J. on Feb. 28, 1937, daughter of the late Henry and Esther (Revere) Sixt, she was a  graduate of Trenton State College (The College of New Jersey).

Married in 1960 the Perdues made their home and raised their four children in Hamilton for 35 years.

As an involved  parent she briefly taught at Hamilton High School and was the founder of several school organizations, including Friends of Winthrop School, all of which  are still doing great work today. Her fifth “child” was Over the Rainbow, a bridal service which she started and continues to grow after 38 years in business.

Barbara loved entertaining, golf, traveling, reading, crafts, a good discussion, casinos and family reunions. She enjoyed many things, but family and friends topped the list. She was a dedicated mother and grandmother and true friend to all who knew her.

In addition to her husband Carl she is survived by two daughters, Jacqueline P. Martin and her husband Bill of Hamilton, Cynthia L. Perdue-Dolan and her husband Dennis of Butte, Mont.; two sons, Carl M. Perdue, Jr. of Middleton, James H. Perdue and his wife Susan of San Diego, Calif.; eight grandchildren, Billy and  Catherine Martin, both of Hamilton, Nate, Maddy and  Perrin Perdue all of California, Abigail, Tommy and Patrick Dolan all of Montana; a brother, Leonard Sixt of Florida; a sister, Elizabeth Zagari of New Jersey and several nieces and nephews.

The celebration of a Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, July 26 at 11 a.m. in St. Paul's Catholic Church, 50 Union St., Hamilton. Family and friends are respectfully welcomed.  Memorial contributions in her name may be made to a charity of one’s choice.