Barbara C. Hessel

WORCESTER-Barbara C. (Cowan) Hessel, 81, of 22 Saxon Rd. died Friday, Feb. 11 in UMass Memorial Healthcare-Memorial Campus.

Her husband, Robert N.C. Hessel died in 1984. Her first husband, Richard G. Wolcott died in 1953. She leaves a son, Roger C. and his wife M. Katherine Hessel of Holden; a daughter, Barbara L. Hammond and her husband David of Malden; a brother, George Cowan of Auburn; 6 grandchildren including, Daniel Hessel of Holden, Douglas and Sarah Hammond of Malden and Sabrina Hessel of Knoxville, TN; several nieces and nephews. A son, Richard G. Hessel died in 2000 and a brother, James Cowan also predeceased her.

She was born in Worcester daughter of James and Carrie (Macintosh) Cowan and was a life long resident of Worcester. Barbara graduated from Classical High School in 1941 and Assumption College where she received her Bachelor's degree in History and her Master of Arts degree in Theology. While at Assumption she was inducted into the Delta Theta chapter of the Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society. Mrs. Hessel was an administrative assistant at Worcester Foothills Theatre Company for many years before retiring. She was a lifelong member of Wesley United Methodist Church and was a member of the Outdoor Sports Club.

Funeral services and burial will be private. FAY BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME, 9 Hammond St. is directing arrangements.