Barbara Kincaid Leaf

Barbara Leaf, age 102, of Concord and formerly of Winchester, passed away on Saturday, July 20, 2024. Her husband of more than 60 years, Dr. Alexander Leaf, died in 2012.

She was born in Seattle, Washington, on October 26, 1921, daughter of Trevor and Louise Kincaid. She was one of six children growing up during the depression years.

Barbara was a proficient amateur pianist and music lover. She studied at the University of Washington in Seattle but did not complete college until many years later when her daughters had grown up and left home. She enrolled at Wellesley College and earned a degree in Anthropology. She then studied nursing at the Newton & Wellesley Hospital. She worked as a nurse at the Pre Term abortion clinic and later, given her interest in community service, she worked as a visiting nurse. She worked on a Native American reservation, was an active participant in the Winchester branch of The League of Woman Voters and lead volunteer services at Massachusetts General Hospital. She helped visiting foreign doctors find housing, find schools for their children and settle into their new neighborhoods. Later in life she volunteered at the Winchester Public Library and became adept at mending and caring for old books. She loved books and read avidly until the very end of her life.

Barbara and Alex retired to Newbury Court in Concord in 2010. At Newbury Court she enjoyed the beautiful view of the Sudbury River, attended all musical events, participated in the Reading Aloud book club, the meetings of the Environmental Committee, and repaired books for the library. She made new friendships

She is remembered as a quiet and thoughtful person and did many kindnesses to many people in her life. People remember her soft voice, her warm smile, and her gift for helping people in practical and effective ways without making a fuss about it.

She is survived by her three grateful daughters: Caroline, Rebecca, and Tamara and her grandchildren, Alexander and Anna Norregaard.

Services for Barbara will be private.

Donations in her memory may be made to:
Doctors without Borders (Médécins Sans Frontieres).
40 Rector Street, 16 Floor
New York,  NY  10006
www.doctorswithoutborders.org

Arrangements under the Concord Funeral Home, 74 Belknap Street, Concord, MA 01742 978-369-3388  www.concordfuneral.com