Barbara Ann Charest

DUDLEY, MA/SURPRISE, AZ - Barbara Ann (Scanlon) Charest, 86, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 15, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. Born on July 25, 1940, in Worcester, Massachusetts, she was the daughter of the late Julia and Andrew Scanlon.

Barbara was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Gerald “Gerry” Charest, as well as four of her siblings; Jackie Scanlon, Richard Scanlon, Billie Scanlon, and Patricia Farley.

She leaves behind a beautiful legacy of love and is survived by her sister, Mary Ellen Latino and her husband Carlo of Avila Beach, CA; and her four children: Margaret Schlegel and her husband Randy of Brooklyn, CT; Michael Szlyk and his wife Jackie of Dudley, MA; Timothy Szlyk and his partner Rob of Asbury Park, NJ; and Melissa Sepuka and her husband Paul of Peoria, AZ. She was also a proud and devoted grandmother to nine wonderful grandchildren and a great-grandmother to ten.

Through the years, Barbara touched countless lives. Her profound Catholic faith was the root of all she did. Alongside her career in office management and the dedication she showed in raising her children, she was deeply committed to serving others. At St. Anthony of Padua in Dudley, MA, she coordinated holiday assistance for local families, served as a Eucharistic Minister, and taught catechism. She managed a soup kitchen as a volunteer on Wednesdays in Webster, MA, and volunteered at Jeremiah’s House in Worcester, MA.

In the 1990s, Barbara relocated to Florida, where she continued her ministry by volunteering for hospice alongside her husband, Gerry, and became actively involved in local quilt guilds. In March of 2018, she moved to Surprise, Arizona, and joined Quilts of Love, finding great joy in making charity quilts and fidget items. During this time, she also became a Vincentian with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul at St. Clare of Assisi.

Barbara’s greatest joys were found in traveling, crafting, and, most importantly, spending time with her cherished family. Her kindness, unwavering faith, and generous spirit will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, from 5-7 pm at Paradis-Givner Funeral Home in Oxford, Massachusetts. A joint memorial Mass for Gerry and Barbara Charest will be held on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Dudley, Massachusetts. Burial will immediately follow at Rural Cemetery in Worcester, Massachusetts.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Barbara’s memory to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85014, or online at hov.org/donate or to St. Vincent de Paul @ St Rose Chapter 2825 W Rose Canyon Cir. Anthem, AZ 85086.