Ethel (Barnes) Naddaff

Ethel (Barnes) Naddaff of Quincy, passed away on June 4, 2024. She was 92 years old.

After graduating from high school in 1949, at just 18 years old, Ethel enlisted in the army, stationed at Fort Lee in Virginia and rising to the rank of Sergeant. Her final assignment was as stenographer with the Army’s counter-intelligence unit at Fort Holabird in Maryland, the only member of the WACs with top secret clearance. In December of 1952 she was honorably discharged.

Ethel met the love of her life, Fred, at the Kelek Company in 1953, and they were married in 1957. In 1963, they purchased their own business, Farrington Market, in Quincy and they became a fixture in the community. In 1991, Fred and Ethel retired to Vero Beach where they spent 12 wonderful years, frequently visited by their children and grandchildren. In 2003, they moved back to West Bridgewater to be closer to family. It was here, in 2014 at the age of 83, where she published her book, “Fallen Branches”, a novel that made it to the top of the Naddaff family’s best seller list.

In 2017 she and Fred celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary and in 2018 they moved to an assisted living facility in Norton. When Fred passed soon after that, her light decidedly dimmed. But reinvigorated by weddings and births, she continued to live a fruitful life, keeping sharp by perusing the internet, reading 4 or 5 books a week, writing letters to friends, doing puzzles and playing cards and yahtzee. But most of all, enjoying visits from her family which had grown by seven great grandchildren, with a couple of more on the way.

Throughout Ethel’s life, her home was open to all, as the moments she spent with family and friends were those most important to her. Her smile, sense of humor, intelligence and big heart will be missed by all who knew her.

Ethel was the dear and devoted wife of the late Frederick Naddaff Sr. Loving mother of Frederick Naddaff Jr. and his wife Linda of Mashpee, Nadine Miller and her husband Dean of Mansfield, Madeline FitzGerald and her husband John of Bridgewater, Nannette O’Brien and her husband Daniel of Easton and Martine Murphy and her husband Paul of Norton.  Cherished grandmother “Nana” of Frederick Naddaff III, Derek Naddaff, Elyse Naddaff, Nicholas and Christianna Miller, Alexander and Rebecca Miller, Shannon and Christopher Robichaud, Shane and Hannah FitzGerald, Jake FitzGerald, Kimberly and Daniel Shea, Daniel and Nicole O’Brien, Emily and Jarad Aker, Paul Murphy, Bret Murphy and Madeline Murphy. Loving great-grandmother of Greyson Robichaud, Finley and Hazel Fitzgerald, Daniel and Thomas Shea, Aidan Forcucci and Daniel O’Brien. Dear sister of Frank Barnes, and the late James Barnes, Marion Weiker, Jeannette Sullivan. She is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

Ethel’s Funeral Service will be held on Friday June 7, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of the Annunciation Melkite Cathedral, 7 VFW Parkway, West Roxbury. Visitation in the Cathedral beginning at 10:00 a.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Ethel’s memory may be made to the Cathedral or to the Foundation for Women Warriors 1185 Park Center Dr. Suite R Vista, CA 92081 https://foundationforwomenwarriors.org/

Ethel will be laid to rest with her beloved Fred at Mt. Benedict Cemetery in West Roxbury.

Our Lady of the Annunciation Melkite Catholic Cathedral
7 VFW Pkwy, West Roxbury MA 02132
Web: http://www.bostonmelkite.org

Foundation for Women Warriors
1185 Park Center Dr. Suite R, Vista CA 92081
Web: https://foundationforwomenwarriors.org/