Barbara A. (Mannix) Davin

Barbara was born on April 1, 1930, a daughter of the late Raymond and Mildred (Whitley) Mannix. She was raised and educated in Belmont and graduated from Belmont High School. After high school she earned her degree from Mount Saint Mary College in Manchester, New Hampshire.

Barbara started her career in the registrar’s office at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Here she would meet the love of her life, Joseph Davin, who was studying for his degree in mechanical engineering. After the two were married, Joseph joined the United States Air Force and officer training brought them to Biloxi, Mississippi where they lived for a time before moving back to Norwood, Massachusetts where they would start their family. Shortly thereafter, they moved to Weston where they have been residents since.

Barbara was a devoted wife and mother, always putting her children’s interests and needs first. While they were still in Norwood, as their home in Weston was still under construction, she would drive the kids to their new school in Weston every day so that they wouldn’t have the disruption of changing schools later. Although she wasn’t a big traveler the family did spend many happy summers vacationing at the lake in Searsmont, Maine.  She likely drove the equivalent of a cross country trip getting the kids to and from their various events like baseball and soccer games and always with a smile. Once the kids were a bit older she went back to work at Filene’s department store in Belmont Center where she worked for many years before her retirement.

In addition to her husband, Joseph, she leaves her children, Ken Davin (Bertina Abeles) of Brookline, Massachusetts and Paul Davin (Mary Petrelli) Weston, Massachusetts; her grandson, Michael Davin (Brianna) of Weston, Connecticut; her great-grandchildren, Jack and Leo and her nieces and nephews, Carol Burgoyne, Joan Sundstrom, John Fouhy and Robert Fouhy.

She was also the sister of the late Marjorie Fouhy.

Family and friends will gather to honor and remember Barbara’s life at The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham  at 9 a.m. on Friday, April 21st before leaving in procession to Saint Julia’s Church, 374 Boston Post Road, Weston Center, where her Funeral Mass will be celebrate at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Linwood Cemetery, Weston.

The family also wishes to express a special thanks to the caregivers of Home Helpers, based in Wayland Massachusetts, Lydia and Alexis, who brought Barbara comfort at the end of her time with us.