DANVERS - Ms. Barbara E. Damon, 81 of Danvers passed away peacefully at her home on Wednesday, March 27, 2019. Born in Danvers, she was the daughter of the late Leonard and Doris W. (Hudson) Damon. Raised and educated in Danvers, she was a graduate of the former Holten High School of Danvers and continued her education at Salem State Teachers College graduating in 1959. Following her graduation, Barbara taught as a 3rd Grade Elementary School Teacher in Connecticut for many years until continuing her education at Oberlin College in Ohio where she received her Master's Degree in Religious Education. A longtime resident of the Town of Danvers, Barbara began a long and illustrious career with the YMCA organization. In 1964, she was appointed as the Program Director of the Danvers YMCA and in 1966, began an 8-year stint as the Program Director of the Salem YMCA. She became the Executive Director for the Allston-Brighton YMCA from 1974 to1979 and matriculated to the North Suburban YMCA as the Associate Executive Director from 1979 to1981. Barbara finished her career as the Associate Executive Director, Camping Services of the Boston YMCA from 1981 to 1982. For many years following, Barbara could be found working as a Substitute Teacher at Danvers High School, where she was devoted to helping students reach their highest potential. A natural born leader, Barbara devoted many years and much time to mentoring and teaching students through athletics. She shared her passion for swimming, softball and field hockey through coaching and administrating many teams throughout her life. She was the Salem YMCA Swim Coach, the Allston-Brighton YMCA Swim Coach, managed the Eastern MA YMCA swim league, the YMCA swim official trainers, the High School Swim League Officials, and the Danvers YMCA Swim Team. She also coached the Danvers Youth Girls Softball, Senior Division Team. In 1983, Barbara began her High School coaching career, coaching J.V. Softball and Field Hockey. She was the Varsity Swim coach at Salem High School in 1985 and the Danvers High School Varsity Swim Coach from 1990 until 2016. She was the Danvers Falcons Varsity Field Hockey Coach for over 18 seasons, winning multiple NEC titles and had been a coach in the Danvers High School Softball program for over 15 years. She was a stalwart in Danvers High School athletics year round. For 50 years Barbara led the YMCA District Swim Meet, which has been named in her honor for many years. Barbara was was inducted into the Danvers High School's Blue & White Hall of Fame in 2010 and the Mass. State Softball Coaches Hall of Fame, the New Agenda Hall of Fame and the Salem State Hall of Fame, for her dedication to student athletes and the promotion of women's sports. Following her retirement from coaching, Barb stayed connected with many of the players, teams, leagues and programs throughout the state, whether it was cheering them on from the stands or checking their scores and life achievements in the papers; seeing their successes brought her great joy. A lover of the outdoors and community, Barbara was a member of the Maple Street Congregational Church, the Appalachian Mountain Club, the Order of the Eastern Star, Danvers Chapter, the American Camping Association and a life member of the Mayflower Society. For many years Barb served as a Town Meeting Member representing her neighborhood. She filled her days by bicycling, sailing, folk singing, cooking and playing the guitar, piano and organ for all to enjoy. She had a passion for photography and was a private pilot who earned her pilots license in 1970. Barb could often be found tending to her beloved garden, listening to classical music or waiting for a friend or former student to come by for a visit. She loved people, nature and athletics and lived every day to the fullest. Barbara is survived by her cousins, Winniford Hudson of FL and Bruce Hudson of Winchester, her close friends, Karen Kiokemeister of Grant-Valkaria, FL and Leonard Mercier of Amesbury and many other close friends.

ARRANGEMENTS: Barbara's funeral service will be held in the Maple Street Congregational Church, 90 Maple St., Danvers, Wednesday, April 3rd at 11 A.M. Relatives and friends invited. Burial at Walnut Grove Cemetery, Danvers. Visiting hours in the Peterson-O'Donnell Funeral Home, 167 Maple St., (rte. 62) Danvers, Tuesday from 4 to 8 P.M. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Danvers Community YMCA, 34 Pickering Street, Danvers, MA 01923. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com .