Barbara L. Govendo

HOPKINTON - Barbara Govendo passed away at home on June 11, after a four-year illness which she battled with extraordinary grace and dignity. She was 78.

Barbara was born in Brooklyn, NY in 1947 and adopted as an infant by Selma and Leslie Boff of Syracuse, NY. She grew up there with her brother David, and attended Nottingham High School, where she met and began dating her husband-to-be, Jeff, whom she wed in 1969. They were married for 56 years.

Barbara attended the University of Buffalo, graduating in 1969, majoring in education. She went on to receive her Master’s Degree from Lesley University in Cambridge, and her Ph.D. in Special Education at Boston College. Barbara became a professor at Lesley University, where she taught special education courses to teachers in the master’s program. While there, she created a unique course on brain-based learning for doctoral students and school principals. She also headed up the Lesley U.-Brookline Schools Collaborative where she oversaw Lesley students doing their practicum assignments. Barbara worked at Lesley for 29 years where she achieved associate professorship and Professor Emerita.

Barbara enjoyed the outdoors. She and Jeff made a point of going camping in Maine at Acadia National Park every summer, which they did for a total of 46 years. She was also an avid reader and enjoyed meeting with her book club friends to share thoughts and insights on selected works.

She is best known, however, for bringing her light and love into the world. One didn’t have to “earn” her love and respect. She simply assumed you deserved it, and people responded to her in kind.

Barbara is survived by her husband Jeff, son Gabriel, daughter-in-law Sarah, and beloved grandson Gavriel. 

Family and friends will gather for Funeral Services at 1:00 PM on Monday, June 15 at Congregation B’nai Shalom, 117 East Main Street, Westborough. Interment will follow at Beit Olam East Cemetery, 42 Concord Road, Wayland. Memorial Observance will be announced.  Arrangements are in the care of Miles Funeral Home of Holden.

In lieu of flowers or fruit, the family asks that donations be made in her memory to Congregation B’nai Shalom, 117 East Main Street, Westborough, MA 01581 (www.cbnaishalom.org) or to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, PO Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168 (www.dana-farber.org).