MOUNTAIN LAKES — Barbara Molony Elliott, 82 On Thursday, December 12, Barbara Molony Elliott, 82, of Duxbury, MA, formerly of Manchester-by-the Sea, MA, passed away after a courageous battle with cancer. Her devoted, loving husband, Bud, was by her side during her illness as well as during their 56 years of marriage.
In Barbara’s early years, she had an enriched life in New York City, studying piano under a concert pianist, frequenting the NYC Ballet, working as a child model, and spending time in Paris.
She always yearned for the country and her dream was fulfilled when the family moved to the idyllic community of Mountain Lakes, NJ. After graduating from Mountain Lakes High School, where she ourished, Barbara chose to go to Ohio for college, attending Wittenberg University. During those years she had the opportunity to spend a whole summer traveling throughout Europe. With a BA in Psychology Barbara was employed in Human Resources in NYC. While working full-time for Monsanto she pursued her MBA at night, stopping just short of her Master’s thesis. In NYC she had the good fortune to meet Bud Elliott and their wonderful relationship began. When their daughter Kim was born Barb put her career on hold. Bud’s career objectives took the couple to Rochester, NY, where their son, Chad was born, and to Fullerton, CA. There her inclination of volunteer service began. Barbara developed and directed a children’s after-school program in arts and sciences (CAP). It ourished and was recognized with the Disneyland Community Service Award.
When Bud acquired his family’s greeting card company, Kristin Elliott, Inc., in Beverly, MA., he persuaded Barbara to become his business partner and the team enjoyed working together for the ensuing 27 years. En route to MA the family had the unique experience of traversing the United States in a Vanagon camper. In their new home in Wenham, Barbara’s community service continued with the replication of the CAP Program, serving as Co-President of the Hamilton-Wenham League of Women Voters, being elected to the Hamilton-Wenham Regional School Committee, and serving as President of the philanthropic Wenham Village Improvement Society which owns and runs the venerable Wenham Tea House.
The couple’s passion for sailing peaked when they moved to Manchester-by-the-Sea and joined the Manchester Yacht Club. There Barbara’s volunteer eorts were recognized with the coveted Henry Hall Award for service to the club.
Family meant everything to Barbara. Among her fondest memories are the myriad of family vacations and nearly 50 years of fun times on Longboat Key, FL. Weekends in New London, NH, large Elliott reunions, backyard family gatherings, and any time spent sailing were among favorite activities. She loved being “Baba’ and treasured each and every experience with her grandchildren. She was always grateful for her wonderful, fullled life.
Barbara is pre-deceased by her parents, Bea and Jack Molony of NYC and Longboat Key, FL and survived by her wonderful family; her beloved husband, Bud, her loving daughter, Kim Elliott and her husband, Rik Silverman, of Washington, DC, her loving son Chad Elliott and his wife, Robin of Duxbury, MA and six incredible grandchildren, Charlie, Nathan, Ben, Norah, James and Sebastian.
A Celebration of Life will be held this spring in Manchester-by-the-Sea.
