Barbara Ann Salemi, 87, of Tewksbury, MA, passed away peacefully on September 2, 2026.

Mom was born and raised in Weymouth, MA, and at the young age of seventeen, she married Paul Salemi, her dancing partner for 62 years. Family, faith, and friends were Mom’s priorities in life.

Mom was a beautiful woman, who always took the time to look her best. Friends and strangers frequently commented on how beautiful she was. She brought her amazing smile and joy everywhere she went. When Mom moved into Bayberry Assisted Living, they made her the “face” of their website, and we all laughed. Such a wise decision!

Mom cherished her four-legged, constant companion, Enzo, and she was delighted to learn that Bayberry welcomed Enzo as much as they welcomed her. She quickly made nice friends and spent her days helping people and cheering up anyone who needed a boost of joy. The staff would often share how much they enjoyed their two friendly community members. They will miss hearing Mom say, “Hi Honey.”

We loved watching Mom and Dad rip up the floor with their lifelong friends. They really knew how to have fun and taught their children to enjoy life to the fullest, as well. Mom loved entertaining, dancing, and a good party!

Mom was a shopping specialist, who also loved to decorate. No woman on earth had more china, glassware, and entertainment platters than our mom! She owned and decorated many exquisite homes over the years and even seized the opportunity to rearrange items in her children’s homes while visiting. We never minded, though. Her design was always nicer than ours!

Everywhere we went, Mom would urge us to stop to appreciate beauty and elegance. She marveled at the simple things in life, like flower arrangements or pretty pictures in the doctor’s office, that most people would never notice.

One of Mom’s love languages was giving gifts. She always graciously bought things for her family and friends. Gifts were her way of letting us know that she loved us.

Mom is survived by her daughters: Vicki Rizzo (George), Melanie Hatfield (Gary), and Lisa Dymond; daughter-in-law: Melissa Morris; her beloved grandchildren: Darren Hazeltine, Brandy Craig (Brad), Joshua and Nicholas Hatfield, and Luke, Noah, and Jared (Haylee) Rizzo; and her great-grandchildren, Stephen and Daniel Craig, and Leo Rizzo, as well as her niece and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Paul D Salemi; her son, Paul Salemi; her parents, Evelyn and Berton Murley; her brother, David Murley; and her sister, June Titus.

We grew up with a mother who loved the Lord. Mom was a woman of strong faith. She adored her Bible, worship music, and women’s Bible study. We’re grateful that she passed her faith and love of the Lord down to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

She often talked about going home to be with the Lord, and she was excited to see her husband and son again. We will miss Mom greatly, but we are smiling with the knowledge that she is partying at a wonderful family reunion in Heaven!

Relatives and friends are invited to attend:

Visitation held on Thursday, September 10th, from 9-10AM at the Kraw-Kornack Funeral Home, 1248 Washington St., Norwood

Celebration of Life service at Waters Church, 668 Walpole St., Norwood on Thursday, September 10th, at 10:30AM

Burial will follow at Blue Hill Cemetery, 700 West St., Braintree

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Barbara’s memory to His Kids Ministry, P.O. Box 1061, West Hanover, MA 02339.