Barbara P. Walsh, 85, of Fayetteville, passed away Saturday, February 4, 2017.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, February 10, 2017, at 12:15 p.m. in St. Ann's Catholic Church with Father Stephen Shott presiding.

Barbara was born on New Year's Day, 1932, in Arlington, MA, to the late Francis and Mary Elizabeth Patterson.

She received her Bachelor's Degree from Bridgewater State Teacher's College and her Master's Degree from Northeastern University.

She was a retired elementary school teacher, volunteer literacy coach for prison inmates, and volunteer after-school program assistant. A great cook, she also enjoyed a variety of different crafts and she worked hard at remaining active and independent despite many health challenges. She loved music, history, literature and politics, and she loved North Carolina's climate and natural beauty, but she never lost her unmistakable Boston accent. From her earliest days in North Carolina, she was a member of St. Ann's Catholic Church and had many happy experiences as part of that diverse community.

She was predeceased by her husband of 35 years, William Joseph Walsh; brother, Francis Patterson; and brother, Robert Patterson.

She is survived by her daughter, Martha Vallery and husband Ray; two grandsons, DJ Zermani and wife Sarah of Moose, WY and JR Zermani and wife Isabel of New Mexico and Wilmington NC; sister-in-law, Janet Patterson of Arlington, MA; niece, Christine Regan and husband John and family of Billerica, MA; nephew, Brian Patterson and wife Eileen and family of Arlington, MA; 4 step-grandchildren and families; and many friends both North and South.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Ann Catholic School Endowment Fund.