Barbara W. Cartinelli, 78, longtime resident of Silver Street in Sheffield, Massachusetts, passed away on Thursday, March 3, 2022 at the home of her daughter and son-in-law.
She was born on December 15, 1943 in Manhattan, New York, the daughter of Ernest and Katherine (Hannan) Wilbur.
Barbara attended the Corpus Christi School in Manhattan before moving to the Berkshire, where she graduated from Mt. Everett Regional High School. She became an LPN at the former Pittsfield General Hospital School of Nursing and went on to Maria College to earn her bachelor’s degree and become an RN. Throughout her life she worked at both Fairview Hospital and Fairview Commons. She was a compassionate caregiver and always made her patients feel valued. Her kindness and selflessness illuminated the lives of everyone with whom she crossed paths — not just her patients — and gave endless comfort to those who loved her most.
In her youth, Barbara spent many years with the Russian ballet, as well as with The Rockettes. She was a dedicated dancer and loved putting her time and energy into this passion.
Barbara married the love of her life, David Cartinelli, on April 24, 1965 at Our Lady of the Valley Church in Sheffield. They were married for 43 years before David passed away on January 16, 2009.
Barbara is survived by her daughter Christina Cartinelli Smith and her husband Patrick T. of Brunswick, New York. She is also survived by her two goddaughters, Tammy Nourse-Pipa and Allison Newton, her step-granddaughter Sonya Halse, numerous nieces and nephews, and other beloved family members and friends.
Barbara was predeceased by her husband David Cartinelli, her son Adam John Cartinelli, her sister Katherine Wilbur, and her two brothers Stanley Wilbur and Ernest Wilbur.
Services: The family will receive friends on Wednesday, March 9, 2022 from 4–7 p.m. at Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. A Mass celebrating the life of Barbara will be held on Thursday, March 10, 2022 at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of the Valley Church in Sheffield, conducted by Rev. Peter Naranjo. Burial will immediately follow at the Our Lady of the Valley Cemetery in Sheffield.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Barbara W. Cartinelli Memorial Fund at Bilmar Small Animal Clinic or the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network in care of Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main St., Great Barrington, MA 01230, who is caring for the arrangements. To send remembrances to the family, visit the Finnerty & Stevens website.
The family would like to thank Community Hospice of New York and Barbara’s nurse Agnes, along with Albany Gastroenterology. They would also like to extend their gratitude to Dr. St. John and his nurse Amy, as well as Mary Kinne, CNP.
