Barbara Ann (O’Neill) Stack, 85, of Lowell, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 10, 2026, at her home, surrounded by her loving family. She was the beloved wife of the late Gareth T. Stack, who passed away on August 26, 2011. And a devoted mother to her son Gary Stack who passed away on January 1, 2026.
Barbara was born in Lowell and was the daughter of the late Richard and Louretta (Manley) O’Neill. She was raised in Tewksbury and was a graduate of Tewksbury High School. Following high school, Barbara earned her certificate from Lowell Academy of Hairdressing.
Barbara worked at Teradyne for 20 years before beginning her career at Tewksbury State Hospital, where she worked for 25 years before retiring in 2015. She felt incredibly fortunate throughout her careers and often spoke of how much joy her work and the people she met along the way brought her.
She cherished her time camping in Maine, where she could slow down and enjoy the simple things. In her free time she enjoyed going to estate sales and flea markets, finding treasures everywhere she went. She had a wonderful eye for decorating, her home was always filled with beauty and warmth. She carried that same warmth with her wherever she went, bringing comfort and love to everyone around her.
Barbara is survived by her grandchildren, Arianna McCarthy and her husband Justin McCarthy of Lowell, MA, Grady Stack and his partner Jennifer Carfagno of Lowell, MA, and Erin Stack and her partner Christopher Ross of Jacksonville, FL; and her great-grandchildren, Connor McCarthy and Maeve McCarthy; and Beth Emerson of Lowell, the daughter she never had, but loved as her own.
She is also survived by her siblings, Richard O’Neill of Tewksbury, MA, John O’Neill and his wife Teresa O’Neill of Stratham, NH, Patricia Stotik of Tewksbury, MA, Sharon Zaremba of Tewksbury, MA, her goddaughter Susan Stack-Breen of Hudson, NH and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband Gareth and son Gary, Barbara was predeceased by her sister, Elizabeth “Betty Lou” Johnson; her sister-in-law, Carol O’Neill; and her brothers-in-law, Joseph Stotik, Stephan Zaremba, and William Johnson.
Family and friends may visit at Morse-Bayliss Funeral Home, 122 Princeton Blvd., Lowell, MA 01851, on Thursday, August 13, 2026, from 1:00 to 3:00 PM. A Catholic Funeral Service will immediately follow at 3:00 PM in the funeral home.
2 responses to “Barbara Ann (O’Neill) Stack of Lowell, MA”
so sorry patty for the loss of your mother you are in my prayers.
Barbara, I enjoyed the couple of years living across the hall from you and all the chats we had in the hall. You were a kind person and a great neighbor. You will certainly be missed. Rest easy.