Barbara Ludwig

Barbara Augusta Hanley Ludwig, 96, of Lenox, died peacefully on May 1, 2014. She was born in Methuen in 1917, the daughter of James E. and Florence A. Brown Hanley, who passed a loving and generous spirit to their daughter. Barbara was a graduate of Edward F. Searles High School, where she was chosen Class Beauty of 1935. From her youth in the era of big jazz bands, she had fine memories of dancing at the Crystal Ballroom in Andover and Canobie Lake Park in Derry, N.H. She worked for the Lawrence Gas Company until her marriage in 1942 to William H. Ludwig of Lawrence. They were married for 63 happy years, until his death in 2005. Barbara raised four children in Lawrence and, after many years as a homemaker, worked at DeMoulas' Supermarket, where she managed the customer service office. After her retirement in 1982, she and Bill divided their time between St. Augustine, Fla., and Lenox, where they moved to be close to her daughter Lisa. Vibrant and happy until the day before her death, Barbara leaves her family and friends of all ages a legacy of love and knitted afghans that show her wonderful sense of color and design. Barbara is survived by her sister Catherine A. Hanley of Boston. She also leaves her children: Carol Hanley and her husband Richard Bernstein of Long Point, Vt.; William Ludwig and his wife Anna of Manchester, N.H.; James Ludwig and his wife Kathleen of Niceville, Fla.; and Lisa Berkel and her husband David of Lenox. Her grandchildren, who are spread across the country, will miss her: Tris Hill, Josh Bernstein, Zeke and Noah Bernstein-Hanley, Eric Foster, Sadie Berkel, Rachel Harshman, Kristen Ward, Jamie Ludwig, Billy and Laura Ludwig, Brian Berkel, and Jessica Salvatore. Jeffrey Berkel predeceased her. She is also survived by 15 great-grandchildren. FUNERAL NOTICE: Barbara's life will be celebrated Tuesday, May 6 at 2pm at St. Ann's Church in Lenox, where the Rev. Christopher J. Waitekus will celebrate The Mass. Calling hours will be held Tuesday, May 6, 2014, at the Roche Funeral Home in Lenox from 12:30pm-1:30 p.m.