Elizabeth Hayden

Elizabeth Hayden passed away on April 30, 2024. She was 68 years old.

Disabled since her birth on June 16, 1955— in an era with a frustrating lack of opportunity for such children-- Elizabeth spent the majority of her life at home in Melrose and Plymouth, MA, cherished by her parents and surrounded by the activities of her four beloved siblings and, later on, their families. She enjoyed 100-piece puzzles, decks of cards, Lawrence Welk, the beach, the theater, coloring books & crayons, and dancing to every kind of music. Curious and social, she engaged those around her with a signature list of questions (“...are you married?”) and by stirring up drama where it didn’t actually exist (“...Tina’s mad at Al”). After moving to Harvard in 2005, she participated in her first day programs and graciously accepted care from a new generation of family members.

Elizabeth was predeceased by her parents, George Anderson Hayden, Jr. and Catina (Bartoli) Hayden, and her niece Leslie Hayden. She is survived by her devoted sister Catina Hayden Barbieri and her brother-in-law Albert A. Barbieri, Jr., with whom she resided for over 18 years; her dear brother George Hayden (Lois) of Texas and beloved sisters Joan Swan of Boston and Helen Topor (James) of Tewksbury; her niece Gina O’Neil (Daniel) of Harvard and nephews Albert Barbieri IV (Vanessa) of Utah, George Barbieri (Caitlyn) of Germany, and Joseph Topor of Tewksbury; and a number of great-nieces and nephews in Harvard, Texas, and Germany.

A Funeral Mass for Elizabeth will be held at 10:00AM on Monday, May 6, 2024 at Incarnation Catholic Church in Melrose. Interment will be private.