Obituary: Barbara Houle of Watertown

Obituary courtesy of Hickcox Funeral Home

WATERTOWN - Barbara Houle passed into the loving arms of God in the early morning hours of July 30th, 2023. Barbara was born in Waterbury, CT, and was the daughter of the late Robert and Ethel Werner. She was the devoted wife of Charles Houle, with whom she shared sixty-three years of marriage. Their life-long partnership is a testament to their enduring love, commitment to family, and the profound bond between two souls that stood the test of time.
Barbara graduated from the Waterbury Hospital School of Nursing in 1958 and started her long career in nursing at Waterbury Hospital before serving for twenty-six years as a nurse at the Taft School Infirmary in Watertown.

Barbara will be remembered as a strong-willed and proud matriarch of the Houle family and for how much of her time she dedicated to friends and family. Whether it was her opulent holiday dinners or how she supplied endless snacks and sodas for her grandchildren during summer pool days, Barbara showed her deep love for family by being a selfless provider for them.
Barbara was a talented hobbyist who enjoyed knitting and embroidery, and she could always be found with a book, puzzle piece, or word puzzle in her hand. She loved games of all kinds, including her trusty handheld solitaire game, and she will forever be the reigning family champion of the game Left, Right, Center.

She was a seasoned world traveler and loved the twenty years she spent winters in Sarasota, Florida, with Charles. Barbara was always ready for her next trip, and as the one-time owner of her very own snowmobile, she was never afraid of a little adventure or trying something new. But for all her adventures, what Barbara loved most was being at her beautiful home on Crestview Drive, spending time with family, and watching her kids and grandkids grow up around her.
Besides her husband Charles, Barbara leaves behind: daughter Donna Froese (Houle) and her husband Phil of Watertown, daughter Linda Ouellette (Houle) of Watertown, Sandra Ricci (Houle) and her husband David of Watertown, son Charles Houle and his wife Danielle of Thomaston, and daughter Barbara Graboski (Houle) and her husband Steven of Watertown.

Barbara will be sorely missed by her thirteen grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, her nephew Hal Werner and his wife, Chrys.

Barbara was predeceased by her parents, Robert and Ethel, her brother Harold Werner, and her son-in-law Roger Ouellette.

The family would like to thank Dr. Cosgriff, Dr. Levinson, and Dr. Housman, who were instrumental in providing care for Barbara during her illness.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held, Friday, August 4th, at 10:00 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Church, 574 Main Street. Friends and family are asked to meet directly at the church. Entombment will follow in Mount Olivet Mausoleum, Platt Rd. Calling hours will be held Thursday, August 3rd, at the Hickcox Funeral Home, 195 Main Street, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.