Barbara Ann (Culkins) Pickel, 92, a lifelong resident of Concord, passed away peacefully on April 25, 2021, from cancer. Barbara was born June 9, 1928, at Emerson Hospital. She grew up on Bedford Street, across from Sleepy Hollow Cemetery. Her father, Bernard Joseph Culkins, worked for the Emerson family as a chauffeur and her mother, Catherine (Finnegan) Culkins, was a housewife. As the youngest of six children born right before the Great Depression, Barbara's early years were challenging but full of adventures. She attended public schools and graduated from Concord Carlisle High School. She loved to skate on Warner's Pond and ski locally. In high school, she joined other girls in signing a petition to wear pants to school in the winter instead of skirts. Barbara's life changed delightfully in 1952 when she met young U.S. Navy sailor Richard Lee Pickel. He was leaving the Hillbilly Ranch – a country music spot in Boston – as she and her friends were walking in. He turned around and went back inside. It was love at first sight, and they were married for 62 years. They lived for a year in his hometown of Middletown, PA – and then for the rest of their lives in Concord, MA. Barbara had four children, including identical twin girls. She later worked for Concord Public Schools in the Sanborn and Peabody cafeterias. She took pride and improvised with the ingredients at hand to deliver nutritious lunches, and enjoyed many laughs with her co-workers. She eventually managed the cafeteria and created a salad bar with fresh produce and an appealing presentation that teachers and staff loved. Her late husband, Richard, was a Town of Concord firefighter for 32 years and the two loved to garden. He grew up on a farm. She had a green thumb. Early summers brought fresh strawberries and shortcake, followed by garden vegetables, homemade ratatouille and fresh-cut marigolds, daisies and tiger lilies. Their home in West Concord was a fixture in the neighborhood, and the porch – surrounded with jalousie windows that let in the "glorious" breeze – was a gathering place for neighbors, friends and relatives to share life's news. As a mother, she sewed many doll dresses and school play costumes, and prepared a family dinner every night for decades. Every holiday she put decorations on the door and made seasonal treats. Barbara was the copilot on many family camping trips across New England and Canada with kids, dog and camper in tow. She looked forward to Sunday drives with her husband, puttering around antique stores and flea markets to collect Depression-era glass and items of local historic interest. She enjoyed her backyard pool, taking neighborhood walks, and caring for the family dog and cats over the years. In her later years, she learned to use a computer and surf the internet. She loved the activities and sense of community at the Concord Council on Aging and was a regular participant. Barbara traveled abroad to Germany and Ireland and around the U.S. to visit her children and grandchildren. She loved to listen to traditional Irish music, classical music and WBZ NewsRadio 1030. Most of all, Barbara was the ultimate "people person" and loved her community, including sharing her deep knowledge of Concord history. She had a big heart and a quick wit. She enjoyed playing practical jokes and was quick to laugh, sing a ditty, and send a wink that made you feel included. She will be forever missed. She is survived by her four children, Richard Daniel Pickel of Maynard, MA; Elizabeth Pickel Hearn and husband Michael of Atlanta, GA; Virginia Lee Pickel of Hudson, MA, and Mary Lou Pickel of Arlington, VA, as well as grandchildren: Katie Hearn, Jack Hearn and William Pickel. She is predeceased by her husband, Richard L. Pickel, and five siblings: John Culkins, Bernard Culkins, Mary Carroll, Robert Culkins and Leo Culkins, and is survived by many beloved nieces and nephews. Family and friends will gather for visiting hours on Sunday, May 2nd from 3 to 6 p.m. at Dee Funeral Home, 27 Bedford Street, Concord Center. The funeral Mass at Holy Family Parish, Monument Square, Concord Center will be celebrated on Monday, May 3rd, at 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Concord. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Barbara's memory to the Concord Council on Aging , 1276 Main Street, Concord, MA 01742. Arrangements are under the care of Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord.