Barbara Anne (Stuart) Forslind

Celebrating the Life of Barbara (Stuart) Forslind

Barbara “Barby” Anne Forslind, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on August 31, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of love, creativity, and community.

Born in Woburn, MA, on October 24, 1944, to Charles and Ruth (Lenfest) Stuart, Barbara grew up in Woburn and Santa Monica, CA, returning to Woburn after her mother’s passing. A 1962 graduate of Woburn High School, Barbara attended Springfield College and graduated from St. Joseph’s School of Nursing in Nashua, NH. She built a career in caregiving as a nurse at Saints Memorial Medical Center in Lowell, MA.

Barbara married Stephen R. Forslind in 1965 and raised her family first in Woburn, then Pepperell, MA, where she lived for 50 years. She was a dedicated member of the Pepperell Community Church, serving in the handbell choir, Sunday school, Ladies Guild, and church outreach, often giving through her sewing.

An accomplished quilter and knitter, Barbara poured her creativity and care into every stitch. As a member of the Squanicook Colonial Quilt Guild, she helped provide quilts for families in need. She made wedding quilts for her children and special gifts for her grandchildren, and knitted “Maine mittens” for her daughters.

Barby also cherished the outdoors. She camped with her family at Moosehead Lake and Baxter State Park, walked her beloved dogs Nellie and Gabby at Odiorne Point State Park, spent joyful times with family in Camden, ME, and at Camp at Coleman Pond in nearby Lincolnville, her favorite place on earth.

She is survived by her children Andrew Forslind and his wife Ingrid of Moultonborough, NH; David Forslind of West Newfield, ME; Kristen Drozdowski and her husband Mark of Williamsburg, VA; Rebecca Audette and her husband Michael of Ayer, MA; and daughter-in-law Frances Forslind of Farmington, NH. She was a loving Nana to her grandchildren Stephanie Desmarais; Kyle and Jason Forslind; Julia, Sara and Adam Drozdowski; Grace and David Audette; and to her great-grandson Khoal Desmarais. Barbara was predeceased by her grandson Mitchell Forslind. She leaves her sister, Martha Szatkowski, and her husband James of Bourne, MA, and her niece Ruth and nephew Jesup, along with many cousins whom she loved dearly.

The family would like to thank Barbara's friends, neighbors, and church family who visited her often, brightening her days.

A Service of Celebration of the life of Barbara A. Forslind will be held on Saturday, October 18th at 11 AM at the Community Church of Pepperell, 3 Townsend St., Pepperell, MA. A luncheon will follow at the same location.

Memorial donations in Barbara’s name may be made to the Squanicook Colonial Quilt Guild (squanicookquiltguild.com), PO Box 665, Townsend, MA 01469, or the Northeast Coonhound Rescue (necoonhoundrescue.org).