BOURNE — Barbara Elizabeth Hoeft, 83, formerly of Sherborn, died peacefully at the Mary McCarthy Care Center with her husband by her side, November 29, 2011. She was the beloved wife of Charles R. Hoeft, Jr. for 63 years.
Barbara enjoyed a full and creative life that recently entailed serving on the Art Committee and the "Dress a Live Doll" Committee of the Bourne Women's Club; as Queen Mother of the Red Hat Society (Mad Hatters of Bourne chapter); and on the Republican Town Committee. She was a talented pianist, and an avid poet who loved to craft custom greeting cards, collages, and dedications for friends, family, and special events. She had a flare for interior design and recently planned, designed, and decorated a contemporary addition on the canal-side home where she has resided with "Chuck" for 30 years. She also enjoyed swimming, gardening, animals, and had an endearing affinity for wearing stylish hats!
Barbara brought joy to everyone in her life, lighting up the room with her contagious smile and energetic personality. She had a wonderful listening ear and was a great conversationalist. For several years, she and her husband were active ballroom dancers who often volunteered to demonstrate this graceful art form at various venues.
Besides her husband, Barbara leaves four children: Cheryl McVeigh-Douglas of Houston TX, Glenn Hoeft of New London NH, the late Christopher Hoeft - also of Houston, and Cynthia Vaccaro of Stow. She is also survived by nine grandchildren, one great grandchild, and other loving family members.
Born in Brookline in 1928 to parents who had immigrated from Nova Scotia, Canada, Barbara spent earlier years working as the accountant, treasurer, and office manager for her father's thriving construction firm, C.R. Burns and Sons, which built over 25 schools across Massachusetts from 1954-1973. While employed in this demanding role and raising her four children, Barbara also liked to volunteer as a den mother for her sons' Boy Scout troops, and sew fashions for herself, her daughters, and her home.
A memorial service is planned for Barbara on Thursday, December 8, at 11 a.m. at the Bourne United Methodist Church, 37 Sandwich Road, in Bourne.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Cape Cod, Mary McCarthy Care Center http://www.hospicecapecod.org/Giving/Ways-To-Give.aspx.

After I was discharged from my service as bomber pilot in WWII, Mom was insistent that I get in the habit of going back to church, and that is where I was so lucky to find this lovely lady who became my wife of 63 years. The exciting butterflies that I felt when I first saw her stayed with me for all those years. Each time I saw her come home from shopping or in any situation, she excited me with her beauty. The thought I had when we first met was: "this lady deserves a good husband, so I"ll marry her before she can find one!!" I just thank the Good Lord for bringing her into my life.

We had four beautiful children of which we were so very proud, but lost our second son, Chris in 2002 to cancer. My career as an airline pilot caused me to be away for several days at a time, but as Cheryl (above) says, she did a terrific job of raising all four young ones by her lonesome. Plus all that time she was also running her dad's office for his business. What a trooper.

Following my mandatory retirement at age 60, we both became interested in ballroom dancing, and thoroughly enjoyed it, Because we were both tall, and she looked so gorgeous in her ballroom gowns, we drew many compliments from other dancers in our group. We continued dancing for 27years until I found it necessary to have a hip replacement, which affected my ability to negotiate the dance steps adroitly.

We had built our retirement home, with design imput by Barbara right along the Cape Cod Canal where we have enjoyed our life
for over thirty years. Just four year ago, Barbara designed an addition to our home which provided for a first floor bed room including an office, washer and dryer, walk-in closet, all conforming to the disabilities requirements as suggested by the goverment. Never thinking we would be needing it so soon,

Barbara suffered a stroke, causing her to be in nursing homes for rehabilitation for eleven months before passing away. She had done quite well for about four months, but a seizure caused her to lose much of what she had gained ,and never got it back.And, she never got to use  her wonderful design. oh, how I miss that beautiful smile, those tender, loving caresses and hugs, her fantastic piano playing....just everything about her, that made our lives such a joy. Honey, I love and miss you, Barbara dear, your loving husband and best friend. Chuck