Barbara A. (Mallet) Rushford

July 4, 2026

Barbara A. Rushford

ATHOL- Barbara A. (Mallet) Rushford, 86, died peacefully on Thursday evening, July 2, 2026 at Applewood Home for Elders in Athol.

Born in Winchendon on April 13, 1940, she was the daughter of Phillip and Helen (Arsenault) Mallet and grew up in Athol, graduating from Athol High School in 1958. Barbara then obtained her Teaching Degree from Fitchburg State College in 1962.

 On July 27, 1963, Barbara married Rayburn E. Rushford and enjoyed 57 years of marriage and raising a family until his death on February 2, 2021.

Barbara taught at the Sanders Street School in Athol for a year and then went to work for the Orange Elementary Schools including Gale Brooks and Dexter Park until her retirement.

Following retirement, Barbara continued educating by tutoring individuals.

Barbara was devoted and cared very much for her husband, children and grandchildren over the years. Barbara enjoyed her annual family vacations to the Cape and Boothbay Harbor, Maine. She extended that warmth and care giving to everyone she encountered in her life.

Barbara had been a member of the Red Hat Society.

Survivors include her son Craig Rushford and his wife Cheryl of Methuen; daughters, Raquel “Kelly” Gauvin and her husband Steve of Athol, and Laryssa "Lolly" and her husband George Robideau of Rochdale. She also leaves grandchildren, Maria Robideau-Quaglia (Forest) of Spencer, Sydney Gauvin of Athol, and Boden Robideau of Rochdale; a brother Dennis Mallet of Pittsfield; and niece Nicole Adolphson of Pittsfield.

Barbara is predeceased by her parents and husband.

Calling hours will be Friday, July 10, 2026 from 9:30- 11 a.m. at Witty’s Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange.

A graveside service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, July 10th in Silver Lake Cemetery, upper level off Lenox Street, Athol.

In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the Athol High Scholarship Fund, c/o Athol High School, 2363 Main Street, Athol, MA 01331.

Witty’s Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange, is assisting the family.

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