Barbara Ann Lally of Marblehead, passed away on Mothers Day surrounded by love at Season Assisted Living in Danvers.

Barbara was born in Salem MA to Harold A. Weston and Gretchen (Furbush) Weston.  She was the oldest of their three children.  As their father Harold "Cap"was both in the Merchant Marine and taught at American University during World War II, Barbara's childhood was spent living in many different parts of the country.  Moving every few years compelled this shy little girl to be daring and take risks.  The family eventually   returned to Salem and Barbara graduated from Salem High School.   She made lifelong friends at Salem High among them Katherine Linskey Foley and Joan Dooley Zisson.

Barbara graduated from The Salem Hospital School of Nursing.  Her career took her to Michigan, California, and Salem Hospital where she worked during the Polio Epidemic and later as an OR and OB nurse.   She met Tom Lally while still in nursing school.    Barbara and Tom married in 1953 at St. James Church in Salem and they eventually moved to Marblehead where they raised 4 children.  As the family grew she still worked as a nurse for local blood drives and per diem capacities.  She and Tom love to golf and sail and enjoyed being members of the Corinthian Yacht Club.   Barbara and her family were communicants of the Star of the Sea Church in Marblehead where she also taught CCD classes.

After her husband Tom's untimely death in 1975, Barbara , an RN with no previous retail experience took over the helm as proprietor of  Lally's Shoe Store on Essex Street in Salem, assisted by her late son Michael.   She was named "Businessperson  of the Year" by the Salem Chamber of Commerce in 1985  and received various awards during her time  as a member of the Salem Chamber of Commerce.  She and her son Michael later opened a new store called "The Dancer's Partner" also on Essex Street in Salem   and eventually closed Lally's Shoe Store .  Barbara raised her 4 children, sending them off to college, photography school, and studying abroad.

Several years after Tom's death Barbara was fortunate enough to meet and eventually marry Walter E. McCusker, a successful  Insurance agent with 3 children.  They married in 1983 and the family grew from 4 to 7 children.  These were good times with loud Christmases, Saint Patrick's Day festivities, and laughter.  Barbara and Walter enjoyed many happy years together.  After Walter's death Barbara still maintained her position as the landlord of the Lally building on Essex Street.  She developed a lasting friendship with one of her tenants Gene Murray (Gene Murray's Dance Studio).

Barbara is survived by her children,  Sharon Doliber of Marblehead,  Martha Delaney and her husband Jeff of Salem, Gretchen Lally of Salem, Katy McCusker Moranda and her husband Tony of Santa Rosa, CA. and Peter McCusker of New Bedford, MA. ; Her daughter in law Diane (Michael) Lally and her husband Dan Lobdell.  She leaves behind her 10 beloved grandchildren : Jessica, Sarah, Patrick and Connor Doliber, Ryan, Michelle, Erin, and Cathryn Lally, Corey Moranda and Erin Delaney.

Barbara was pre deceased by her siblings, William "Bill" Weston and Carol (Weston)   Tyack.  her sons Michael W. Lally  and David M. McCusker,  her son in law Howie Doliber, her husband Thomas J. Lally and her second husband Walter E. McCusker.  Earlier this month she lost her dear friend Jean Cassidy Duffy of Marblehead.

Services will be held at Murphy's Funeral home in Salem on Wednesday, May 23  from 4:00 to 8:00 PM followed by a mass at Star of the Sea Church in Marblehead on May 24 ^th at 10:00 AM.  Internment will be at Greenlawn Cemetery in Salem after the service. Barbara lived life to the fullest and taught us all how to live with Grace under Fire.  The Lally/McCusker family would especially like to thank the following people and agencies who were instrumental in helping with her care: Pondview Adult Day Health in Lynn, MA ; Spectrum Adult Day Health in Beverly, MA; the ENTIRE staff of Seasons Assisted Living in Danvers, MA; Dr. Lisa Ceplikas of Family Doctors LLC; Claudia O'Connell, RN, Sue Donahue, and Beacon Hospice.