Mrs. F. Barbara "Bobbie" Broderick

Mrs. F. Barbara “Bobbie” Broderick, a lifelong Berkshire resident, passed away peacefully Easter Sunday, April 9, 2023, two weeks shy of her 110th birthday. Born in Pittsfield, MA on April 22, 1913, the daughter of the late Irving and Loretta Hughes, she attended Pittsfield schools and graduated in 1935 from the College of Our Lady of the Elms with a degree in foreign languages. She met research chemist Howard Broderick in 1937 the day he signed into General Electric to apply for a job and she was the receptionist. They were married at Sacred Heart Church in Pittsfield, MA in 1939 and raised three children. Bobbie loved and adored everything about motherhood. Similar to her love of playing instruments, her children formed a band at home, which delighted her to no end as she fondly remembered “one played piano, one played the saxophone, and one played on an upside-down metal waste basket.” She enjoyed flowers, family gatherings, holiday parties, boating at their Pontoosuc Lake cottage, and Sunday morning doughnuts – an ongoing tradition for at least four generations. In addition to being the matriarch of her family, the Pittsfield native was a lifelong musician, religiously played the piano and organ - playing the latter once while flying in an airplane, loved singing - especially inside her car at the top of her lungs, and taught three of the five foreign languages she spoke at the former Rockwood Academy in Lenox, MA. She traveled overseas several times - including Ireland to kiss the Blarney Stone, led two separate Catholic church choirs, was active in bridge clubs, was a gardener and volunteered at Tanglewood for more than 50 years. While living at the Laurel Lake assisted living facility, Barbara taught Spanish classes to her fellow residents, continuing her love of languages, teaching, and helping others. Though health issues slowed her down, nothing deterred her ability to party. Being Irish, Bobbie was a huge fan of the University of Notre Dame and the Boston Red Sox. Bobbie is predeceased by her husband Howard M. Broderick who died in 1974, brother Irving D. Hughes Jr, sister Anne L. Ryan, sister Jane F. Farr, brother Thomas Hughes, daughter Barbara A. Trova, son Edward M. Broderick, and grandson John R. Trova. Bobbie is survived by her son James D. (Cynthia) Broderick of LaGrangeville, NY; son-in-law Peter Trova of Pittsfield, MA; daughter-in-law Gunta Broderick of Wappingers Falls, NY; grandchildren Michael (Sharon) Trova of Elmira, NY; Cynthia (Robert) Provost of Colorado Springs, CO; Paul (Kimberly) Trova of Hinsdale, MA; Deborah (David) Brennen of Beacon, NY; James D. (Bethany) Broderick Jr. of Hannacroix, NY; James E. (Rebecca) Broderick of St. Simons Island, GA; Carrie (Chuck) Eirish of LaGrangeville, NY; Kathleen (Gregory) Hoppa of Hampstead, NH; Chad Broderick of Ashland, OR; granddaughter-in-law Christine Trova of Pittsfield, MA; 18 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandchild, as well as beloved nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. Bobbie exuded kindness, warmth, humor, and strength. As a mindset of perseverance and positivity encompassed her whole life, it is no surprise that her advice to younger generations was “Stick at it and make it work. Whatever it is, don’t give up.” Funeral Notice Funeral services for Mrs. Barbara Broderick will be on her 110th birthday, Saturday, April 22, 2023, at 10 a.m. at the Dwyer Funeral Home, 776 North St., Pittsfield, MA. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery. Calling hours at the funeral home will be held prior to the service, from 9 am to 10 am. Her 1935 yearbook quote is ever applicable: “None knew thee but to love thee, Nor named thee but to praise.”

Mrs. F. Barbara "Bobbie" Broderick

April 22, 1913 - April 9, 2023