Barbara Barton Badstübner

Barbara Barton Badstübner of Groton, MA, born January 7, 1937 to Marion and Donald Barton, joined Jesus in eternal life on April 15th, 2025. Barbara was the wife of Carl Badstübner, who passed away in April, 2010.

As an only child, Barbara was raised by her parents and grandparents in Fitchburg, MA. Barbara was tremendously proud of her family and their achievements. Barbara’s father, Donald Barton, was an artist and photographer who trained at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston School. Her mother, Marion, was a graduate of Simmons University who ran multiple restaurants, including the Old Buttercup Tea Room in Lunenburg, MA. Barbara’s grandfather was Harvard trained Dr. John Barton, an Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist. His wife, Mabel Augusta Samuels Barton, was a nurse and artist.

After earning her bachelor’s degree in education from Fitchburg State College, Barbara went on to earn a Master of Education in 1976, and later a Master of Science in Counseling in 1992. Barbara taught English at Ayer High School for nearly 30 years, but her love of literature and passion for teaching was evident throughout her life. Barbara was always happy to read to her grandchildren or edit a school paper. In 1997, she joined the Board of Directors of Literacy Volunteers in Fitchburg, teaching reading to adults.

When she wasn’t teaching, Barbara also worked as a freelance writer. She wrote about antique shops and collectibles for Country Essence, a small magazine published in New Hampshire. She also did a brief stint covering restaurants on local television. Barbara was a proud member of the National League of American Pen Women, Inc., the women’s answer to the Washington Press Club, which was closed to female writers.

A devout follower of Christ, Barbara was the coordinator of many small groups at Christ Church in Fitchburg, MA, and a member of the Vestry. Throughout that time, Barbara and Carl were very involved in Christian renewal, including Marriage Encounter, Cursillo and Life in the Spirit. Pepperell Christian Fellowship in Pepperell, MA later became Carl and Barbara’s home church. Barbara was a group leader for several years in the Women's Ministry and a cherished member of the congregation. Barbara continued to serve in several capacities, from flower arranging to greeting newcomers. She enjoyed the fellowship and teachings of Pastor Stephen Witmer, and of David Fenton who she called her best teacher ever. Barbara always encouraged others to find faith and join her at Pepperell Christian Fellowship no matter their background or circumstances. Her strong conviction in Jesus as the world’s savior never faltered. She praised him in song and prayer through her final days.

In her retirement, Barbara served as a volunteer case reviewer for the Department of Children and Families in Fitchburg and Leominster, winning the Horizons of Hope Award. A lifelong reader, Barbara enjoyed many book clubs at the Groton Public Library. She and Carl loved traveling with their friends, including Bill and Lou Ladroga, Bill and Jane Shattuck, and Ernie and Louise Carbone.

At the age of 57, Barbara took to studying art with her dear friends Peggy McWade, Martha Oldham, and Andrew Kuzman. She became an award-winning artist with watercolor and oil paintings exhibited in Groton and the greater Boston area. Barbara was a longtime member of the Groton Woman’s Club and served as chair of the program committee for several years. A founding member of the Nashoba Valley Artists Guild, Barbara spent countless hours working alongside other local artists whose friendships and keen eye for detail she cherished deeply. Barbara was known for her green thumb and grew lush gardens around her home. Many of her gardens served as inspiration for her paintings, which she turned into one-of-a-kind greeting cards for her family and friends. Barbara felt passionately that painting is learned, and not a gift from a “painting fairy.” She insisted that anyone could learn if they wanted.

Barbara is survived by her children: Beth Koopman and her fiancé, her children Greta Buzzell, her husband Michael Buzzell, and their children Caroline and Bryce, Peter Koopman, Jared Koopman, and their father David Koopman; Heidi Pierce and her husband Peter Pierce, their daughter Chelsea Coates, her husband Bradford Coates and their children Clara and George, Hannah Etten, her husband Zachary Etten and their children Maxwell and Pierce, Samuel Pierce and his wife Pauline Tran; Kurt Badstübner and his wife Eileen Badstübner, their son John Badstübner and his wife Cansu Badstübner, Jeffrey Badstübner and his fiancé, and Anna Badstübner. Barbara also leaves behind many close friends, namely her life-long friend, Martha McCarthy.

Barbara will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother and “Gigi” as she was affectionately called by her great-grandchildren. Described by her friend Bob Flynn as a “renaissance woman,” Barbara was a multi-talented individual, a passionate teacher and a gifted writer and artist. Above all else, she was a devoted Christian who inspired a love of Christ in others.

Calling hours will be on Thursday April 24, 2025, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at McGaffigan Family Funeral Home, 37 Main St., (Rte. 113) Pepperell, MA. A celebration of life will be held at Pepperell Christian Fellowship, 17 Main St., Pepperell, MA on Friday, April 25, 2025, at 11:00 AM. Donations in Barbara’s name can be made to: Pepperell Christian Fellowship, 17 Main Street, Pepperell, MA 01463.