Barbara J. Schlichte Obituary
Barbara J. Schlichte, 94, died peacefully on Monday, February 12, 2024, following an extended decline in health. Barbara was the wife of attorney Miles Schlichte, who predeceased her in 2009 after 54 years of marriage. Barbara had a joyful and adventurous spirit and a kind heart. She was born in 1929 to Edwin and Vyvyan Palmer in Hartford, Connecticut, and attended Notre Dame Academy and Regis College, where she met her future husband on a blind date when he was given the choice of taking a Regis girl to a dance or doing detention for a late-night poker game.
That date led to a happy and fruitful marriage. In addition to raising a family, Barbara was a dedicated teacher, first on the West Coast, then Cape Cod, and finally settling in Gloucester, where she taught at Maplewood, Hovey, and Forbes schools for over 25 years. Someone once said, "A teacher is the greatest blessing of the Lord.". Barbara was just that. As a public-school teacher "Mrs. Schlichte" had a profound impact on her students, making a difference in the many lives she touched. Barbara said yes to life.
As one of her children said, "You can take Mom anywhere. Dressed to the nines, with perfect manners, she can talk to anyone!". After her husband died in 2009, Barbara traveled more frequently, remarking once that the most important thing to wear when traveling was a smile. Closer to home, Barbara loved basking in the sun, especially on Good Harbor Beach with family and friends. She loved to walk with her dogs in Dogtown Common and later in life through the streets of Gloucester. Barbara was an avid reader and crossword puzzle aficionado.
She is survived by her children and their spouses, Barbara and Ed Wierzbicki of Connecticut, Joan and Karl Stockbridge of Texas, Miles and Nancy Schlichte, George Schlichte, Mark and Tracey Schlichte, Catherine Schlichte and Shawn Henry, Patricia and Gary Johnstone, Marianne and Robert Smith, all of Gloucester; grandchildren, Jeffrey, Ryan, Eric and Amanda-T Schlichte, Nathan and Matthew Wierzbicki, Katherine and Margaret Stockbridge, Zachary, Aaron, and Isaiah Smith; her sister, Maureen Cox and sister-in-law, Helen Chin Schlichte; nine great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews who will miss her tremendously.
Barbara was a devout Catholic, and family and friends are invited to her funeral mass at Our Lady of Good Voyage Church on Tuesday, February 27, at 11:00 am. In gratitude for the compassionate, skilled, and attentive care Barbara received at Seacoast Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, the family requests that in lieu of flowers donations can be made to Friends of Seacoast, Inc., PO Box 1578, Gloucester, MA 01930. Arrangements by Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington Street, Gloucester, MA.
