Barbara Townes, 99, Was Welder for Navy Shipyard

Barbara B. (Richardson) Townes of Plymouth avenue in Oak Bluffs died Tuesday, Dec. 13. She celebrated her 99th birthday this past August.

She was married to Frank W. Townes, who predeceased her in December 1984.

Barbara was born in Dorchester on August 21, 1906, the daughter of C. Richardson and Mamie Lewis. She was graduated from Boston public schools and attended Boston Clerical School. She became a welder for the Boston Naval Shipyard.

She summered most of her life on Martha's Vineyard and in her teen years worked for the Havenside Hotel in Vineyard Haven. In the 1960s she and Frank moved permanently to Plymouth avenue in Oak Bluffs. They were charter members of the Cottagers, and Barbara enjoyed gardening and collecting antiques.

She was predeceased by her sister, Daisy Moppin, and is survived by her niece, Linda Scales of Dorchester, and friends.

Her funeral service will be held in the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home on the Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road in Oak Bluffs on Friday, Dec. 16, at 11 a.m. The family will begin receiving visitors at 10:30. Interment will follow in the Oak Grove Cemetery on Pacific avenue in Oak Bluffs.

Donations may be made in her memory to an Island organization of choice. Please visit www.ccgfuneralhome.com for online guest book and information.