SOUTH DEERFIELD - Barbara A. Upton, 83, of 5D Heritage Way, South Deerfield passed away at home on August 5, 2013 after a prolonged battle with cancer. And as her family fully expected, she left this Earth on her own terms, in her own bed with all the feisty courage she could muster.
Born, April 23,1930, in Greenfield, Mass. to parents Joseph and Sarah (Matthews) Schechterle, Barbara spent most of her life residing in Shelburne Falls, Greenfield, and finally South Deerfield. Colrain schools and Arms Academy in Shelburne Falls provided her formal education but life was really her teacher. She was married to Duncan G. Upton Jr. for 52 years prior to his passing in 1999. For many years, she waitressed at local restaurants to help support the family.
Barbara was artistic and always involved in some arts and craft project. Finishing these projects was more difficult than starting, but given time, she would usually prevail. A fine cook, baking was her passion with the enticing smells of fresh baked bread or a decadent dessert always luring her family to the kitchen. She was a great story teller with a sharp memory for details but seldom let that get in the way of an interesting conclusion. Duncan and Barbara drove cross country multiple times visiting many of the National Parks providing ample material for some of those tales. But most of all, she loved to go dancing with Duncan.
Barbara is survived by two sons, Steven Upton and his wife Patricia and Jeffrey Upton and his wife Jayne all of South Deerfield, two daughters, Karen Allen and her husband Rick of Saltillo, Mississippi and Kristi Upton of Tampa, FL, two brothers, Donald Schechterle of Charlemont and James Schechterle of Byron, GA. She is also survived by four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, nieces & nephews and grand-nieces and nephews.
She is predeceased by her three brothers; Joseph, Harold and William Schechterle and three sisters; Emmeline Hebert, Katherine Pierce and Robina McCabe.
Funeral services will be held on August 19th at 1 p.m. in the Wrisley Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. David Neil officiating.
Burial will follow in Arms Cemetery, Shelburne Falls, MA.
Calling hours are Sunday, August 18th from 4 to 7 p.m.
Donations in her memory may be made to Hospice of Franklin County, 329 Conway St., Greenfield, MA, 01301 or the Jimmy Fund, c/o Dana Farber Cancer Institute, P.O.Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168.
Expression of Sympathy available at:
www.wrisleyfuneralhome.com
Published in The Recorder on Aug. 15, 2013

Spouse of Duncan G. Upton, Jr. She married Duncan G Upton on Aug 30,1947 at Shelburne,MA.