1930 - 2016
Visitation
September 8, 20164:00 to 7:00 P.M.
Dolan Funeral Home
No Funeral Date Scheduled
Barbara Louise Hood, 85, passed away on Monday, September 5, 2016 at home in Saco, Maine after a long illness.
Born on December 28th, 1930, Barbara was the daughter of Hilda May Neal and adoptive parents, John and Elizabeth Hood of Stratham, New Hampshire.
Barbara attended the University of New Hampshire, graduating in 1953 with a Bachelor’s degree in Education. She went on to a distinguished, 50 year career as a teacher, coach and Athletic Director at Billerica Memorial High School in Billerica, Massachusetts. During that time she was the recipient of many awards for her fine efforts on behalf of girls and women’s athletics. She received the Distinguished Service Award from the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association in 1986, District I Athletic Director of the Year in 1990, President’s Award in 1997, Billerica Girls and Boys Club Woman of the year in 1998 and was named to the New England “New Agenda” Hall of Fame in 1987. Barbara was inducted into the Billerica Memorial High School Athletic Hall of Fame in1993. The new High School Softball Field was dedicated in her honor as she was softball coach for 25 years.
She will be greatly missed by her loving “adoptive” family including Nancy L. Phillips of Saco, Maine, The LeMasurier family, Jackie, John, Jason and Andrew and their children and spouses. Calling hours are on Thursday Sept. 8, 2016 at the Dolan Funeral Home, 106 Middlesex Street, North Chelmsford, Massachusetts.
Burial services will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the North Chelmsford Congregational Church Building Fund, North Chelmsford, Massachusetts 01863.
Mary Boermeester
| #
My coach and friend during basketball from 1958 through 1961. Miss Hood signed a whole page in my yearbook and had to put up with me and the rest of our Suburban League Champs crew. She had a great relationship with all of us for many years. Wish we could have played “full court” but back in the day they didn’t think women could! She’ll always have a place in my heart!
Kathleen Cooney Sasonoff
| #
Barbara Hood was my basketball coach at Billerica High from 1964-1967,long before money or notoriety was available to girls’ sports. She was always demanding but fair, expecting the best from all of us. The annual Ashby Girls’ Tournament was a highlight of those years, and when it was cancelled, Barbara started running one in Billerica–we all learned a lot, quickly!
Her leadership in promoting girls athletics was unwavering, and I am very glad that she saw so many positive changes over the years. I am grateful to have known her.
Kathy Cooney Sasonoff
Linda M. (Finethy) Alves
| #
Back in the late 1960’s, she was known by most of us as “Miss Hood”! While I never played basketball, many of my friends did and they were always cheered on by me. Barbara Hoods’ 50 year career is a wonderful example of dedication not only to all the girls sports, but to the profession. Her years at BMHS will be long remembered by all.
Tracy
| #
RIP Dear Friend. I am happy for the time we had together. Your gracious heart touched so many. I will miss you.
Carol Ouellette
| #
Barbara thank you for being my friend. I am truly blessed to have known you. Because of your dedication to your student athletes, my daughters have been fortunate to live the Billerica Pride experience. You were tough when you had to be but this is because you cared so much. Know that you and all you did will not be forgotten. Rest in Peace Miss Hood.
Sincerely,
Carol Ouellette
Coach Mo
| #
I was very fortunate not only to have worked for Barbara but also to have become friends with her and to get to know her personally. We had a lot of great laughs in her office, in the gym, in Maine and in Florida. She was tough in the sense that she was “by the book” but she spoiled me when it came to her dedication to her sport’s teams and more importantly, for treating all sport’s teams equally. She always had her coaches’ backs and supported us through thick and thin. I appreciated all her efforts at the time and let her know it but I appreciated her efforts even more when I coached in other schools where there wasn’t as much respect for girl’s sports or their coaches. She was an absolutely remarkable woman whose positive outlook on life and ability to roll with the punches never ceased to amaze me. I will miss her greatly and am so truly happy to have known her. She will always be a part of who I am and she will hold a special place in my heart. Thank you, Barabara for everything!