Barbara L (Asack) Curran

Barbara L. (Asack) Curran of Braintree, formerly of West Bridgewater, passed away of natural causes at the age of 91 in the arms of her family on March 5th at South Shore Hospital.

Barbara was born at home and grew up on her parents’ turkey farm in West Bridgewater, where her love of animals began. As a teenager, her father bought her a horse named Mr. Jones with whom she shared many happy times, riding along with her mother Louise and competing in several local horse shows. Barbara excelled at school both in the classroom and extracurricular activities, graduating from Howard High in 1951 as class Vice President and Captain of the women’s basketball team. Barbara also loved swimming, water skiing and sailing, but really took to tap dance and figure skating in her 20’s and beyond. Barbara was a member of the “Happy Hoofers”, a local tap dance group, and later joined an ice dancing group where she met her beloved husband, John “Jack” Curran of Braintree. After several months of ice skating, snow skiing and courtship together, Barbara and Jack were married in 1969 and settled in Braintree. Barbara and Jack were very active in the local American Legion Post 86 and participated in several years of its annual vaudevillian minstrel shows, raising money for charities.

Barbara worked many years as a licensed dental hygienist in Bridgewater and eventually managed the entire dental practice during the second half of her tenure. For the final phase of her professional career, Barbara served brilliantly as the Executive Director of the Braintree Housing Authority until shifting into retirement in 1993. Throughout their 50 years of marriage, Barbara and Jack enjoyed many adventures travelling locally and abroad, taking cruises, skiing (most often at Bretton Woods) and playing golf. One of their favorite destinations was Bermuda, visiting the island 23 times together. Other vacation destinations included: Alaska, Hawaii, Monte Carlo, Italy, and Germany. Barbara was an avid reader, tenacious cross-worder and the family’s favorite baker, specializing in banana cream pies and a delicious date bar with powdered sugar affectionately known as “dusty things”.

Barbara will be sorely missed. Her smile, positivity and sense of humor lit up any and every room that was blessed with her presence.

She was predeceased by her husband Jack, and by her parents Edward G. Asack, Sr. and Louise M. (Roberts) Asack, and nephew Craig P. Asack. Barbara is survived by her brothers Edward G. Asack, Jr., and Donald G. Asack, Sr., and sister-in-law Sandra L. (Beals) Asack. She is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and blessed with many loving friends and neighbors. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the Medical Missions for Children, 600 West Cummings Park, Suite 2850, Woburn, MA 01801.

A memorial service will be held at Peck Funeral Home, Washington St Braintree, MA, on Wednesday March 12, 9-10:30am, followed by 11:00am Funeral Mass at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, and internment at Blue Hills Cemetery immediately after.

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