Elaine F. (Craib) Barrett

Elaine F. (Craib) Barrett, loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother.

LOWELL - Elaine F. (Craib) Barrett, 84, passed away on April 2, 2023 following a short illness, with her family by her side.  Elaine was the heart and soul of her family.  She was fondly known as Ma by her children and Nana by her grandchildren.  

Elaine was born on March 19,1939 to Albert and Katherine (Boyle ) Craib of Lowell, Ma.  She was the wife of the late Raymond P. Barrett Sr., who died June 24, 2006. 

Prior to her retirement, Elaine worked in many roles, from being a paraprofessional for the Lowell Public Schools to that of a nurse's aide. However, her favorite role was being a grandmother.  She avidly crocheted, having made hundreds of blankets and baby outfits for family and friends. She loved caring for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. It was not an uncommon occurrence to have her call her family and request that the grandchildren visit.

Elaine was a strong willed woman. On Christian Hill she was famously known for driving the “Barrett Mobile” (a VW Bus that could hold all 9 of her children).  Her no-filter, no-nonsense personality was one of her greatest assets.  She never missed birthdays, school events or sporting events, especially for her grandchildren. 

Elaine looked forward to her annual trips to the Salem Willows where she enjoyed their Chop Suey Sandwiches and Fried Clams.  She loved to host family parties and was known as an expert cake slicer and would often be caught sneaking a lick from the knife she used to cut the cake.

Elaine is survived by and will be deeply missed by her children, their spouses and partners, Raymond Jr. and Paula (Baker) of Dracut Ma., Jeffrey of Lowell Ma., Daniel of Boston Ma., Kenneth and Sharon Sylvester of Dracut Ma., Phillip and Maria (Mambro) of Methuen Ma., Scott and Sharon Wholey of Lowell Ma. Jennifer and Dennis Savard of Chelmsford Ma., and Christopher and Robyn (Brunelle) of Burlington Ma;  She also leaves behind her sister-in-law Anne Barrett and her nephew Stephen Barrett, 15 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.  She was predeceased by her parents Albert and Katherine (Boyle) Craib, her husband Raymond Sr., her sons Dennis and Keith Barrett and her daughter-in-law Phyllis Barrett (Gagnon).

It being her request, funeral services will be private. The family kindly invites friends to join them for a celebration of Elaine’s life which will be held on Friday, April 14, 2023, from 6 until 8 p.m. at Longmeadow Country Club, 165 Havilah Street, Lowell, Ma.  For those who wish to make a donation in Elaine’s memory, please consider:  St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memorials Processing. 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959.