Barbara Jane Bredthauer, 85, of Gilbertville, Massachusetts, died on the afternoon of October 13 at Rose Monahan Hospice Home in Worcester after a long struggle with cancer. She was surrounded by family at the end, as they shared with her greetings from members of her church, the Triparish Community Church of Hardwick, New Braintree, and Gilbertville, Massachusetts.

Barbara was born in Londonderry, Vermont on September 10, 1931, to Maurice Laselle, Sr. and Christel (Hitchcock) Laselle. She attended grade and middle school in Londonderry and high school in Chester, Vermont.

She graduated from the University of Vermont in Burlington in 1953 with a BA in music and taught grade school in Connecticut. A gifted musician, Barbara played clarinet for several seasons during the 1950s with the Vermont State Symphony Orchestra. She often delighted family and friends at the piano, and in her later years was an organist for the Triparish Community Church.

An enthusiastic and talented chorister, Barbara was a member of the Eastern Massachusetts chapter of the Sweet Adelines Chorus in the 1970s. Her chapter earned a place at the Sweet Adelines National Championship in Seattle in 1975.

From Cub Scout den mother to Mustard Seed volunteer, Barbara’s generous spirit was evidenced in her lifelong readiness to be of service to others. Her caretaking extended to all God’s creatures, great and small, and she nurtured and delighted in the many woodland birds and animals who visited her yard.

Barbara married William “Victor” Bredthauer of Georgetown, Texas in 1956 at her family home in Londonderry. They settled in Worcester, Massachusetts. He predeceased her in 2002.

She leaves behind a large and loving family who will miss her dearly: sons Dennis Bredthauer (and wife Liz) of Centreville, Virginia, David Bredthauer (and wife Joan) of Brooklyn, New York, and Bill Bredthauer (and wife Sandy) of Hopewell Junction, New York; step-son Don Bredthauer (and wife Judy) of Burleson, Texas; step-daughters Bonnie Wesley of Andover, Jane Gargulinski (and husband John) of Petersham, Massachusetts; grandchildren Jennifer, Rachel, Emma, Caroline, Dean, Eric, and Ava; and step-grandchildren Erik, Chad, Sam, Tara, Chaz, Matt, Chrissy, and Josh.

Throughout the years, faithful friends were many, and Barbara’s family is especially thankful for the unfailing devotion of Linda and Steve Kot and Kelly Ury. A brother, Maurice Laselle, Jr., predeceased her in 2011.

Services were held at Covenant Evangelical Church in Barre, Massachusetts, on October 21. The family respectfully requests that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to the American Cancer Society .