Barbara B. Talkowski

Barbara B. Talkowski, age 84, passed away on Thursday, October 21, 2021 at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, surrounded by her loving family. Born in Riga, Latvia on November 6, 1936, she was the daughter of the late Arvidas Varna and Vera Apog. She was raised in Newton, Massachusetts where she graduated from Catholic Memorial High School Class of 1954 in West Roxbury. Following her graduation she took a clerical position at a financial firm in Boston.

Barbara married her beloved husband, John M. Talkowski, Jr., on August 11, 1956. The young couple initially made their home together in Natick, before settling into their newly built home in Walpole, Massachusetts in 1960. During their early years in Walpole, Barbara took on the role of a homemaker, raising and caring for her family. As her two daughters grew up, Barbara returned to her career, taking a clerk's position a local drug store near Norwood Hospital. She went on to start her career in retail sales, working as a sales associate then to assistant manager at Almy's Department Store at the Walpole Mall for many years. After Almy's closed its doors, Barbara went on to work at the Dress Barn in Needham and later Filene's at the Emerald Square Mall. Barbara stayed with Filene's through the Macy's buyout and continued working as a sales associate until her retirement in 2012.

When Barbara wasn't hard at work, she was caring for her granddaughters. She was a talented seamstress, creating children's clothes and Halloween costumes on her sewing machine, as well as crafting many items using her needlepoint skills. As an avid gardener, Barbara loved spending time outdoors tending to her flower gardens around her home. When all the projects were complete, she relaxed inside her home with one of her favorite books.

Beloved wife of the late John M. Talkowski, Jr.
Loving mother of Arlene G. Rea and her husband, Wesley R., of Franklin and Karen L. Talkowski of Walpole.
Cherished grandmother of Stephanie A. Rea, Jennifer L. Rea, and Christine A. Rea all of Franklin.
Sister of John Skapars of Dover and the late Aurelius Skapars.
Aunt of Sean Skapars of Boston, Derek Skapars of Framingham, Holly Skapars of Dover, Marcus Skapars of Cape Cod, Alexander Skapars of Cape Cod, and the late Ryan Skapars.

At the request of Barbara's family, all services will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Medfield Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 271, Medfield, MA 02052 or at https://www.medfieldshelter.com/

Arrangements by James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, Walpole.