Obituary for Barbara Ellen Callioras (Blake)
On May 31, Barbara Ellen Callioras of Northwood, NH, passed away at home while surrounded by her family as her battle with dementia came to an end.
Barbara was born January 1, 1942 to Richard and Helen (Underhill) Blake in Concord New Hampshire. Barbara graduated from Concord High in 1959. On December 11, 1959, she married Robert Rhodes Callioras, son of Charles and Eva (Milbury) Callioras, also from Concord. Together they raised five children; Robert, Sue (Calabrese), Rodney, Tod and Sara (Coop).
Barbara was a devoted wife for over 60 years, a loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother, sister and aunt and friend to many. She worked alongside her husband at several successful businesses that they operated over the past 50 years. In their hometown of Northwood, they owned and operated Johnson’s Dairy Bar in the 70’s. Here they employed many locals and got to know many people in the community. They also included their children working beside them and to this day they all continue to work together. Barbara was a Restauranteur, Innkeeper, Real Estate Broker and as most recent venture she was an Antiques Dealer with her own shop. Barbara was constantly learning everything she could about antiques and collectibles. Surrounded by books at home and work and often seen carrying boxes and books together because she was in the middle of researching her newest finds. She loved working with the public and was always eager to make a deal; She was often heard asking, “Give me your friendliest price.” Barbara and her shop were recognized in the New York Times as having a “must see shop” on NH’s Antique Alley. At her shop she said, “We sell the good, the bad, the great and the grand. If a customer can love it, I can love it too”.
Barbara had a giving heart and routinely donated to a variety of charitable organizations. Barbara often welcomed company in her home and was often filled with family and friends. Many of her children’s friends were treated like family and spent a lot of time in their home over the years or working with the Callioras family. Together, Robert and Barbara created a legacy of family and can be seen as her family continues to work together at the family businesses. She was always welcoming family and friends into their home. Many of her children’s friends were treated like family and spent a lot of time in their home over the years while the kids were growing up. Together, Robert and Barbara created a legacy of family. It’s rare to find a family that has stayed as close to each other and continue to work together.
Barbara leaves behind her husband, her children, sons-in-law Robert Calabrese & Mark Coop, grandchildren: Robert Callioras, Samantha & Matt Falcone (Calabrese), Michael & Lindsey Calabrese, Ava Coop and Brody Coop, her Great grandchildren: Cameron & Reese Callioras and Jack & Amelia Falcone, her sister Sandra and nieces and nephews. Barbara was preceded in death by her infant son Michael, Infant great grandchild Isabelle, sister Geraldine and her parents.
The family has chosen to honor Barbara with a private celebration of life, where they will scatter her ashes at some of her most cherished locations. Donations can be made in Barbara’s name to Cornerstone VNA in Rochester or the Lewy Body Dementia Foundation.
Barbara was born January 1, 1942 to Richard and Helen (Underhill) Blake in Concord New Hampshire. Barbara graduated from Concord High in 1959. On December 11, 1959, she married Robert Rhodes Callioras, son of Charles and Eva (Milbury) Callioras, also from Concord. Together they raised five children; Robert, Sue (Calabrese), Rodney, Tod and Sara (Coop).
Barbara was a devoted wife for over 60 years, a loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother, sister and aunt and friend to many. She worked alongside her husband at several successful businesses that they operated over the past 50 years. In their hometown of Northwood, they owned and operated Johnson’s Dairy Bar in the 70’s. Here they employed many locals and got to know many people in the community. They also included their children working beside them and to this day they all continue to work together. Barbara was a Restauranteur, Innkeeper, Real Estate Broker and as most recent venture she was an Antiques Dealer with her own shop. Barbara was constantly learning everything she could about antiques and collectibles. Surrounded by books at home and work and often seen carrying boxes and books together because she was in the middle of researching her newest finds. She loved working with the public and was always eager to make a deal; She was often heard asking, “Give me your friendliest price.” Barbara and her shop were recognized in the New York Times as having a “must see shop” on NH’s Antique Alley. At her shop she said, “We sell the good, the bad, the great and the grand. If a customer can love it, I can love it too”.
Barbara had a giving heart and routinely donated to a variety of charitable organizations. Barbara often welcomed company in her home and was often filled with family and friends. Many of her children’s friends were treated like family and spent a lot of time in their home over the years or working with the Callioras family. Together, Robert and Barbara created a legacy of family and can be seen as her family continues to work together at the family businesses. She was always welcoming family and friends into their home. Many of her children’s friends were treated like family and spent a lot of time in their home over the years while the kids were growing up. Together, Robert and Barbara created a legacy of family. It’s rare to find a family that has stayed as close to each other and continue to work together.
Barbara leaves behind her husband, her children, sons-in-law Robert Calabrese & Mark Coop, grandchildren: Robert Callioras, Samantha & Matt Falcone (Calabrese), Michael & Lindsey Calabrese, Ava Coop and Brody Coop, her Great grandchildren: Cameron & Reese Callioras and Jack & Amelia Falcone, her sister Sandra and nieces and nephews. Barbara was preceded in death by her infant son Michael, Infant great grandchild Isabelle, sister Geraldine and her parents.
The family has chosen to honor Barbara with a private celebration of life, where they will scatter her ashes at some of her most cherished locations. Donations can be made in Barbara’s name to Cornerstone VNA in Rochester or the Lewy Body Dementia Foundation.