Barbara Patrick Jones died Jan. 20 in the Phillips House at Massachusetts General Hospital after a courageous eight-year struggle with ovarian cancer. Her husband Bill was at her side. Barbara was known for her genuine caring nature whether that be in the classroom, in line at the post office or when walking with Bill and their beloved golden retriever Annbelle. She was at her happiest spending time with her granddaughters Shealyn and Jocelyn Smyth. Nana always had a project for the girls to tackle, a snack to prepare, or a beach basket to fill.

She was born in Queens, N.Y., in 1958 to Donald H. Patrick and Carole (Avery) Patrick.

She graduated from Bedminster Raritan High School in 1976 and Slippery Rock University in 1980 with a bachelor’s degree in education. After a short stint teaching in New Jersey, she began teaching at the Oak Bluffs School where she remained for the next 30 years. She taught both special education and second grade, but found her true calling in teaching first grade for the second half of her career. She loved seeing emerging readers develop love of language and the written word. Beyond that she was dedicated to helping each student feel valued and loved.

Barbara and Bill were married in 1989. A shared love of teaching created the start of a bond that would never be broken. The two loved spending every moment together, tending their beautiful flower beds, walking their dogs, toiling at house projects, rooting for the Red Sox or Green Bay Packers, or just relaxing on the back deck. One of Barbara’s favorite pastimes was her love of organizing homes and decorating. Friends and later clients as part of their property caretaking business were constantly seeking advice from her. She was always willing to jump in and help.

In addition to her devoted husband Bill; she is survived by her mother Carole Patrick; her brothers Donald Patrick and his wife Kim, Douglas Patrick and his wife Lynn, and Steven Patrick and his wife Pam; her beloved step-children Jeremy Jones and his wife Annie Parsons, Jen Smyth and her husband Pete, and Christopher Jones and his wife Raisa; four step-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her father Donald H. Patrick. Along with family she is mourned by the hundreds of children she taught, cherished colleagues and friends. Barbara’s wish as her cancer advanced in the last few months was that her life be celebrated and not mourned. With that in mind a gathering will be held in the spring or whenever it is safe to join together again. It will be a time of raising a glass to honor a woman who touched so many lives in her quiet and loving style.

Donations can be made to the Food Pantry or the Red Stocking Fund or the Island Cancer Support Group.

For online guestbook and information, visit www.ccgfuneralhome.com.