Barbara Polleys Parker died on Sunday, May 22 at her home in Agawam. She was 86.

Barbara was born in Somerville on Nov. 17, 1929. In 1950 she married Robert L. Polleys and resided in Woburn and then Winchester. It was there where she became very active in The Order of the Eastern Star chapter in Winchester. She became Worthy Matron in 1971-1972, Deputy Grand Marshal in 1972 and later Star Point Grand Ruth in 1978.

It was a Polleys tradition to visit Ocean Park, Me. every summer, renting a cottage on the beach for the month of August. In 1978 Barbara began a new life on Martha’s Vineyard. She enjoyed the beaches almost every day and stayed active in Eastern Star. She enjoyed fishing the Vineyard and traveling. She filled some time working part time, inserting newspapers at the Vineyard Gazette and working at Priscilla Magnuson’s Antique Store, and the Edgartown town polls during elections. She also worked at Fligors Store in Edgartown and finished her working career at Edgartown Hardware in 1997.

When she wasn’t working she loved being social and was friendly with everyone she met. She went on many excursions and in 1998 met Charlie Parker, the love of her life. Like giddy school children, they “eloped” on a cruise. They came back with a marriage certificate originating in Liberia. The following year Barbara invited her children and grandchildren on a cruise where they renewed their vows. Later, Barbara and Charlie went on many more cruises to Alaska, the Caribbean, and Europe. Barbara received the title The Cruise Queen.

Barbara suffered a stroke in 2007 that left her paralyzed on her left side. But that did not deter her from having a spunky and determined attitude. With help from aides, she still continued to go on cruises with Charlie. She always enjoyed visits from family and frequently went to church activities, including potluck dinners and even Halloween parties.

Charlie and Barbara moved to Agawam to be near Charlie’s family for her last few years. Although she didn’t get out too often, many friends and family continued to visit. She enjoyed sitting next to her gas fireplace and talking on the phone. Barbara’s spirit will always shine on.

Barbara is survived by her husband Charlie; her children: Susan Polleys of Hampstead N.H.; Sandra Polleys Bunch and her husband Robert of Hawley Pa.; Robert L. Polleys and his wife Lorraine of Abington and Jacksonville, Fla., and their children Jennifer and Robert; and Jonathan Polleys and his wife Tina of Edgartown and their children Christian, Jonathan James (JJ) and Audrey; and her stepchildren, Laura and her husband Ernie Young and Charles Parker Jr. and his wife Janet, and their families, Many other nieces, nephews, and cousins, too many to mention, will miss her.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 25 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Oak Bluffs, followed by a funeral service at 10:30 am. A graveside service will follow at the Westside Cemetery on Robinson Road in Edgartown.

Donations in Barbara’s memory may be made to the Island Food Pantry, P.O. Box 1847, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568.