Barbara M. (Tilley) Webb – 92, of North Reading, passed away at her home on Thursday, July 9, 2026. She was the loving wife of the late Charles W. Webb.
Born in Winchester, MA on June 12, 1934, she was the daughter of the late Aaron and Sarah (Smith) Tilley. Barbara graduated from Reading Memorial High School in 1952.
Barbara was a lifelong resident of North Reading and spent virtually her entire life on Elm Street, where generations of her family made their home. A skilled local builder, her father, Aaron Tilley, built several homes along Elm Street, including the home where he and Sarah lived for the remainder of their lives and the neighboring home where Barbara raised her children and, later, shared nearly four decades with her husband, Charlie. She remained there until her passing. Following high school, Barbara worked for many years as a keypunch operator before joining the Reading Municipal Light Department, where she remained until her retirement. She was also a co-owner of the Andover Spa for 15 years.
After the death of her first husband, Edward Wagner, Sr., Barbara devoted herself to raising her two children while balancing the responsibilities of work and home. Her strength and independence would remain defining qualities throughout her life. A devoted volunteer, Barbara generously gave her time to the North Reading Music Boosters, Melrose-Wakefield Hospital, the Town of North Reading Senior Tax Work-Off Program, and the Masonic HELP Program in Woburn.
Her faith was an important part of her life. Barbara was a longtime member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church in North Reading, where she and Charlie formed many lasting friendships and shared years of fellowship and service. In recent years, she became an active member of the Wakefield-Lynnfield United Methodist Church, where she found another caring church family and continued to enjoy worship, fellowship, and opportunities to serve. She sang in the choir for many years, often accompanying congregational hymns on the piano, and faithfully supported church fairs, fundraisers, and other church activities.
Barbara was especially proud of her Newfoundland heritage. The daughter of parents who came to Massachusetts from Newfoundland, she made several trips there over the years to visit family and remained deeply connected to her roots. She also remained closely connected with her classmates, helping organize Reading Memorial High School reunions for many years and, more recently, enjoying monthly luncheon gatherings with the remaining members of the Class of 1952. Her home was the setting for countless birthday celebrations, bridal and baby showers, holidays, and the family’s cherished annual Christmas open house, creating lasting memories for generations.
Nothing brought Barbara greater joy than spending time with her family. She rarely missed an opportunity to celebrate the milestones of those she loved, faithfully attending concerts, recitals, birthdays, graduations, holidays, and countless other gatherings over the years. She loved sharing those moments with family and friends alike and was always ready with an honest opinion, a trait those who knew and loved her came to cherish. In recent years, Barbara could often be found enjoying a Dunkin’ coffee at Ipswich River Park, where she loved spending time outdoors. True to her independent spirit, she was still driving and enjoying life’s simple pleasures, spending the evening before her passing at the park’s weekly summer barbecue and concert with her daughter and son-in-law. She will be remembered for her generosity, resilience, welcoming spirit, and steadfast devotion to her family.
Family members include her daughter, Diane (Wagner) Greene and her husband John of North Reading; daughter-in-law, Kathy Wagner of Reading; daughter, Patricia (Webb) Meehan and her husband David of Peabody; brother, William Tilley and his wife Fran of Salem, NH; grandchildren, Erika Greene of Danville, NH, Kristen (Greene) Prioleau and her wife Nakia of Methuen, Jaclyn (Greene) Hollingsworth and her husband Adam of Andover, Jennifer Wagner of Atkinson, NH, Kaitlyn Wagner of Methuen, Renee (Meehan) Kellett of Lynnfield, and Derek Wood of Saugus; great-grandchildren, Nola, David, Jessica, Matthew, Robbie, Joseph, Lucas, Alyssa, Ashley, Alison, and Jimmy; and many beloved nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.
She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Charles Webb; her son, Edward Wagner, Jr.; her grandson, Aaron Greene; her granddaughter, Christine Wood; her sisters, Edna MacDonald and Mary Peters; and her first husband, Edward Wagner, Sr.
Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, July 14, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, July 15, at 10:30 a.m. at the Wakefield-Lynnfield United Methodist Church, 273 Vernon Street, Wakefield. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery in North Reading.
In lieu of flowers, Memorial donations may be made in her memory to the Wakefield-Lynnfield United Methodist Church, 273 Vernon Street, Wakefield, MA 01880. www.croswellfuneralhome.com