Barbara A. House (Sullivan)
November 23, 1931 – September 8, 2025

Barbara A. House, of Hamden, Connecticut, and formerly of South Dennis, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on September 8, 2025, at the age of 93, following complications of Alzheimer’s disease.

Born in Brighton, Massachusetts, Barbara was the youngest of John and Helen (Regan) Sullivan’s six children. After graduating from St. Columbkille High School, she trained as a legal secretary and began her career in Boston. On the New England ski slopes, Barbara met the love of her life, Kenneth House, as both were members of the Polecats Ski Club. They married in 1958 and settled in Medway and later Franklin, Massachusetts, where they lovingly raised five children.

Barbara had a gift for finding joy in life’s simple pleasures. She cherished the energy of large family gatherings, summer days at the beach, Irish music, and—whenever possible—a good lobster roll. Her husband Ken was known for pouring her a glass of port wine at the end of a long day, and her quick wit and sharp sense of humor kept those around her laughing. A lifelong bargain-hunter, she was a familiar face at thrift and consignment shops on Cape Cod, where she and Ken enjoyed their retirement years. Together they were active members of the Dennis-Yarmouth Newcomers Club until Ken’s passing in 2019, which brought their 61-year marriage to a close.

Barbara is survived by her children: Kate Gordon (Bend, OR); Peter House and his wife Fran D’Arco (Bethel, CT); Joanne Loughlin and her partner Tim Dupont (Sandwich, MA); Daniel House (Milton, FL); and Richard House and his wife Cindy Schwarz (Hamden, CT). She is also lovingly remembered by her grandchildren Colin, Alexander, Jake, Jenny, Kenny, and Sean, along with many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her devoted husband, Kenneth House (2019), her son-in-law Dr. Thomas Gordon (2007), and her siblings Helen (Sullivan) Curran (Weymouth, MA), John Sullivan (Boston, MA), Dorothy Sullivan (Weymouth, MA), Mary (Sullivan) Curran (Buffalo, NY) and  Madeline (Sullivan) Banks (Hanover, MA).

A private burial service will be held on November 21, 2025, when Barbara will be reunited with Ken at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne. A celebration of Barbara’s life will follow the burial; family and friends are invited to reach out for details if they wish to attend. 

Memories and condolences can be shared at barbarahousememorial@gmail.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Barbara’s honor to the Alzheimers Foundation.