August 16, 2022
Barbara Susann Lahage, age of 83, of Hingham, died on Thursday, August 11, 2022, at the South Shore Hospital in Weymouth. Barbara was the daughter of the late Henry Thomas and Mary Rita (Crossen) Lahage. Henry was the president of Abe Lahage, Inc., the Lahage family business and Mary was a registered nurse. Barbara is survived by many cousins and their families.
Barbara grew up in Hull, Massachusetts where she worked during summers at the family business. She attended Archbishop Williams High School and received a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Economics from Mount Holyoke College. She went on to receive a master’s degree in Political Science from Boston College.
After college Barbara moved to Washington, D.C. where she worked for Massachusetts Senator Benjamin Smith who had been appointed to serve out the remaining term of John Kennedy after Kennedy was elected president in 1960. When Edward Kennedy was elected senator in 1962, Barbara joined his staff as a legislative aide. She was a member of Senator Kennedy’s staff until 1970 when she became executive assistant to the president of Clark University.
During the early 1970s she worked with Massachusetts Congressman Gerry Studds and as a campaign manager for Rosemarie Sansone’s successful campaign for Boston City Council. In 1978 Barbara became the director of the Massachusetts Recovery Team which guided the state’s rebuilding efforts following the memorable blizzard that devastated coastal towns that year.
In 1983 Barbara joined the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority where she served as a program manager until her retirement in 2002.
Barbara loved good books and good conversations. She relished traveling the globe with her friends and with her aunts. She served on the Hull Cultural Council and the Friends of the Hull Public Library.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to greet the family during the visitation on Friday, August 19, 2022, 9:30-10:30 AM in the Pyne Keohane Funeral Home, 21 Emerald St. (off Central St.), HINGHAM.
Barbara was an interesting and valued member
Of our Cohasset Political discussion group, the Cohasset Library Book Group and the Great Decisions Griup. Her work experience and love of politics engaged and informed all who participated with her:
Sad to hear of her death and grateful to have know her.