Maureen Theresa Barquinero (née Dougherty) died on August 4, 2022 one month shy of her 89th birthday, with great dignity and care at her final residence and community, the Jewish Senior Services and Home in Bridgeport, Conn. Maureen’s passing was one of peacefulness and grace as she was closely and lovingly surrounded by her family.
Maureen was born in Manhattan, N.Y. and raised in Valley Stream on Long Island, N.Y. It was in her late teen years living in Valley Stream that she met and later married Marcel Barquinero in 1953. In 1966, they moved with their four sons to Stockbridge, where they deeply engaged and thoroughly cherished the special community of the Berkshires establishing many lifelong friendships and precious life experiences. Prior to her marriage, Maureen was a senior executive assistant working for senior leadership at the corporate headquarters of New York Life Insurance in Manhattan, and once in Stockbridge, she was the chief assistant to Norman T. Simpson, founder of the Berkshire Traveller Press in Stockbridge and author of the iconic Country Inns and Back Roads travel guidebooks. Maureen also oversaw all administrative details for the National Independent Innkeepers Association. Maureen and Marcel finalized their working years together becoming proprietors for ten years of the Briarcliff Motor Lodge in Great Barrington. They retired shortly thereafter to Vero Beach, Fla. in 1992.
During Maureen’s life as oldest sibling; wife; mother; and, with fortitude and grace, our matriarch, time was still available to her for regular and quiet reading; the love of the movie theater and Broadway shows; cooking the myriad of recipes from her Long Island upbringing; relaxing with a glass of red wine; and, of great joy and happiness, sharing her many anniversaries with her soulmate “Barky” in Manhattan.
Maureen and Barky were unable to go to college during the early 1950’s but did make certain that education would be a priority for their children. As such, she spearheaded a culture of prioritizing academic excellence with an equivalent focus and commitment ensuring engagement in the performing arts, sport, faith, and work which resulted in the collective achievement of her four sons each graduating from private colleges or university. As a result, their various vocations had them living in a variety of geographic regions which resulted in Maureen spending the final three decades of her life in a whirlwind of traveling to spend significant time with her family and their many friends.
Maureen is survived by her sons, daughters-in-laws, and her grandchildren: Jim and Pam Barquinero of Milford, Conn.; Pamela Barquinero of Bend, Ore.; Kevin Barquinero of Chevy Chase, Md.; Dennis and Tracy Barquinero of Stockbridge; Meghan and Kevin Connolly of Hoboken, N.J.; Tommy and Amy Barquinero of Seattle, Wash.; Cameron Barquinero and Kelly Keane of Stratford, Conn.; and Kathryn Jane Barquinero of Stockbridge. She is also survived by her sisters and their husbands: Ann and Frank Oliva and Patricia and Tony Zinna. She is predeceased by her husband, Marcel; their son, Tom Barquinero; and her brother, John Dougherty.
A mass will be celebrated at 12 p.m. on Saturday, September 10, 2022 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Parish in Stockbridge followed by a reception and celebration of life at the Thornewood Inn in Great Barrington for family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be gratefully submitted to the Jewish Senior Services Foundation, a tremendous interfaith non-profit organization of caring and loving elder care professionals.
