Longtime Danvers High Coach Barbara Damon Dies

DANVERS, MA — Barabra Damon, a three-sport coach at Danvers High School, died Wednesday. She was 81. Damon coached hundreds of players at the high school in her role as field hockey, girls swimming, and softball coach at the school and was inducted into the school's Blue & White Hall of Fame in 2010.

The following is the obituary posted by Peterson-O'Donnell Funeral Home:

Ms. Barbara E. Damon, 81 of Danvers passed away peacefully at her home on Wednesday, March 27, 2019.

Born in Danvers, she was the daughter of the late Leonard and Doris W. (Hudson) Damon. Raised and educated in Danvers, she was a graduate of the former Holten High School of Danvers and continued her education at Salem State Teachers College graduating in 1959. Following her graduation, Barbara taught as a 3rd Grade Elementary School Teacher in Connecticut for many years until continuing her education at Oberlin College in Ohio where she received her Master's Degree in Religious Education.

A longtime resident of the Town of Danvers, Barbara began a long and illustrious career with the YMCA organization. In 1964, she was appointed as the Program Director of the Danvers YMCA and in 1966, began an 8-year stint as the Program Director of the Salem YMCA. She became the Executive Director for the Allston-Brighton YMCA from 1974 to1979 and matriculated to the North Suburban YMCA as the Associate Executive Director from 1979 to1981. Barbara finished her career as the Associate Executive Director, Camping Services of the Boston YMCA from 1981 to 1982. For many years following, Barbara could be found working as a Substitute Teacher at Danvers High School, where she was devoted to helping students reach their highest potential.

A natural born leader, Barbara devoted many years and much time to mentoring and teaching students through athletics. She shared her passion for swimming, softball and field hockey through coaching and administrating many teams throughout her life. She was the Salem YMCA Swim Coach, Allston-Brighton YMCA Swim Coach, managed the Eastern MA YMCA swim league, the YMCA swim official trainers, the High School Swim League Officials, and the Danvers YMCA Swim Team. She also coached the Danvers Youth Girls Softball, Senior Division Team. In 1983, Barbara began her High School Coaching career, coaching J.V. Softball and Field Hockey. She was the Varsity swim coach at Salem High School in 1985 and the Danvers High Swim Coach from 1990 until 2016. For fifty years Barbara led the YMCA District Swim Meet which has been named in her honor for many years. Following her retirement from coaching, Barbara stayed connected with many of the teams, leagues and programs throughout the state, whether it was cheering them on from the stands or checking their scores in the papers; seeing their successes brought her great joy.

A lover of the outdoors and community, Barbara was a member of the Maple Street Congregational Church, the Appalachian Mountain Club, the Order of the Eastern Star, Danvers Chapter, the American Camping Association and a life member of the Mayflower Society. For many years Barb served as a Town Meeting Member representing her neighborhood. She filled her days by bicycling, sailing, folk singing, cooking and playing the guitar, piano and organ for all to enjoy. She had a passion for photography and was a private pilot who earned her pilots license in 1970. Barbara could often be found tending to her beloved garden, listening to classical music or waiting for a friend or former student to come by for a visit. She loved people, nature and athletics and lived every day to the fullest.

Barbara is survived by her cousins, Winniford Hudson of FL and Bruce Hudson of Winchester, her close friends, Karen Kiokemeister of Grant-Valkaria, FL and Leonard Mercier of Amesbury and many other close friends.

ARRANGEMENTS: Barbara's funeral service will be held in the Maple Street Congregational Church, 90 Maple St., Danvers, Wednesday, April 3rd at 11 A.M. Relatives and friends invited. Burial at Walnut Grove Cemetery, Danvers. Visiting hours in the Peterson-O'Donnell Funeral Home, 167 Maple St., (rte. 62) Danvers, Tuesday from 4 to 8 P.M. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Danvers Community YMCA, 34 Pickering Street, Danvers, MA 01923. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com.