Barbara A. (Short) Theberge, 83, of Dartmouth, passed away unexpectedly on June 29th at Autumn Glen, Dartmouth. The daughter of the late John and Bridget (Dwyer) Short, she was born and raised in Providence. She moved to South Dartmouth, a town she loved, in 1969.

 

She was a graduate of St. Francis Xavier High School, and she treasured her lifelong friendships with her grammar school classmates. At the age of 50, she earned her LPN certificate and worked in two local nursing homes. She also held her real estate broker's license.

 

She was an active member of the St. Mary's Guild in South Dartmouth, and loved running the baked goods booth at the annual parish Country Fair. She was well known for her baking talents and a proud winner of more than one bake-off. She was also the president of the Dartmouth High School Support Association and a corporator at NBIS Bank.

 

Barbara loved to spend time with and celebrate the milestones and accomplishments of her four grandchildren. When they were little, she was a frequent baby sitter and couldn't resist purchasing adorable outfits for them. "Gammy" loved teaching them games and songs, baking bunny cakes at Easter and taking them on memorable expeditions picking blueberries and apples. She also loved bringing them to the Newport Naval Base for lunch on the deck. She was extremely proud of them and carried their photos everywhere with her.

 

She is survived by her daughters Christina Zuniga and her husband Ricardo of Annandale, VA, and Jennifer Vescio and her husband Stephen of South Dartmouth, and grandchildren Caroline Zuniga of Washington, DC; Sarah Zuniga of Annandale, VA; and Patrick and Sophia Vescio of South Dartmouth. She is also survived by four nieces and nephews and their families. She was predeceased by her husband, William J. Theberge, Jr. and her sister, Patricia Belanger whom she deeply missed.

 

Her funeral will be held on Monday, July 8, 2024 at 8:30 AM from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park Street, New Bedford, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary's Church in South Dartmouth at 10 AM. Interment will follow at the South Dartmouth Cemetery. Visiting hours will be Sunday, July 7th from 4-7 PM. For directions and guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.