Barbara Lewis (Smith) Ireland, of Hingham, MA, passed away peacefully on October 12, 2026, at the age of 89. Born on November 21, 1936, in Nutley, New Jersey, Barbara lived a life centered around her love of family, her faith in God, and the many friendships she treasured throughout the years.

Originally from Nutley, New Jersey, Barbara also lived in Cincinnati, Ohio, Hingham, Massachusetts and Jupiter, Florida before moving back to Hingham where she called Linden Ponds home for another 18 years, embracing the community and becoming an active and devoted resident.

Family was always Barbara’s greatest joy, and she took immense pride in the happiness, accomplishments, and faith of her children and grandchildren. A woman of deep faith, she was a member of South Shore Baptist Church and participated in the Linden Ponds Bible Study group throughout her years there. She was also dedicated to giving back, leading the fundraising gala for the Linden Ponds Resident Care Fund for many years.

Barbara enjoyed watching the Red Sox and Patriots, and spending time on the golf course. Always an athlete, in her younger years she played basketball (despite her short stature), performed water ballet and skied. A former member of Cohasset Golf Club and Jonathan’s Landing Golf Club in Jupiter, Florida, she proudly won the Cohasset Women’s Nine-Hole Championship five consecutive years, from 1993 through 1997.

Her outgoing personality, friendly nature, and helpful spirit made her a cherished friend to many. Barbara was proud to return to work as an office administrator after her children went off to college, and her independent spirit continued well into her later years. At the age of 80, following the loss of her husband and beloved dog, Mickey, she started her own dog-walking business, combining her love of dogs with her desire to stay active and connected.

Some of her family’s fondest memories include golf, baking cookies for school bake sales, teaching her children to swim, and traveling together to visit their grandparents in Florida. Always willing to travel, she visited her son and daughter often throughout their adult lives. Once her own grandchildren arrived, they were her number one priority. From lifelong friendships that began in kindergarten to the relationships she built at Linden Ponds, Barbara surrounded herself with people who brought joy and meaning to her life.

Barbara will be remembered for her unwavering Christian faith, generous heart, love of family, and the happiness she shared with everyone around her. Her legacy will live on through the many lives she touched and the family she loved so dearly.

She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

Beloved wife of the late James R. Ireland. Loving mother of Pamela Ireland and Peter Goedecke (of Cohasset, MA and Whitefish MT), and James Ireland, Jr and Tracey (of Bluffton, SC), and their children, Jack (of Magnolia, TX), Sam and wife Payton (of Henderson, NV), and Katie (of Bluffton, SC). Daughter of the late Sanford L. and Koradine (Lewis) Smith. Sister of the late Sanford Smith, Jr. Also survived by nieces, nephews, close cousins and their families.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend a celebration of Barbara’s life on Thursday October 29th, from 1:00 – 3:00 PM in the Derby Clubhouse of Linden Ponds, 205 Linden Ponds Way, Hingham, MA, 02043. A Funeral Service will take place on Saturday, October 31st. Visitation will take place betweeb 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM, followed by a funeral service at 12:00 PM, at the McDonald Keohane Funeral Home, South Weymouth, MA at 809 Main Street (Rte 18 opp. So. Shore Hospital). Burial will be held on Monday, November 2nd, at 12:30 PM in East Ridgelawn Cemetery, Clifton, New Jersey. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to the charity that Barbara supported for so many years, the Resident Care Fund of Linden Ponds, Attn. Philanthropy Manager, 203 Linden Ponds Way, Hingham, MA 02043