Amherst, Denno, Barbara Catherine (Nanartonis) of Amherst, MA passed away peacefully at her home on Thursday, June 22nd at the age of 82.  In her final days and hours she was surrounded by her loved ones, including sons Paul and David, daughters-in-law Patricia (Trish) and Heather, and her faithful brother Bill.  Barbara was born to William and Anna Nanartonis (nee Mitchell) on March 18, 1935. She grew up on the family farm on West Street in Amherst, where she learned the values of hard work, thrift, and loyalty to family. Barbara later worked as a secretary at UMass and for her brother Bill’s real estate agency while also managing the finances for her husband’s business. For many years, she was employed by the Amherst Police Department where she found the work very fulfilling and formed many new friendships. Barbara was a devoted wife who cared for her husband during good times and bad, including an extended period of declining health. She was a loving sister who served as the bedrock of the Nanartonis family after the passing of her parents.  She was a supportive and loving mother to her two sons (whom she proudly referred to as “my boys”). Whether in caring for her aging parents, helping her siblings, providing for her children, or quietly and patiently guiding her treasured grandchildren she always placed others’ needs above her own. Barbara never talked about “loyalty,” “duty,” or “service” but they were the qualities that defined her.   She was kind, warm, loving, generous, and principled. She was unfailingly reliable. She exhibited a quiet strength, positivity, and optimism that seemed to spring from an inexhaustible well. Barbara loved to laugh and to visit with people, to tend her garden, and to feed and watch the birds and chipmunks who enjoyed her garden sanctuary.  She loved baking and bringing baked goodies when visiting. Barbara is survived by her sons Paul of Milford NH and David of Amherst MA, their wives Patricia and Heather, grandchildren Madelaine of Alexandria VA, Maxim of Dearborn MI, Elena and Penelope of Amherst MA, brother Bill of Pelham MA, and sisters Betty of Lenox MA, Margie of Northampton MA, and Lucy of Pittsfield MA and many nieces and nephews. All services were private.