WALPOLE FOOTLIGHTERS
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  • ​Kathleen R. Hardigan Memorial Scholarship
    • 2024 Scholarship - Alexandra Richardson
    • 2023 Scholarship - Rishabh Nevatia
    • 2022 Scholarship - Sophia Goodsell
    • 2021 Scholarship - Mahoney Cyr
    • 2021 Scholarship - Brenna Hughes
    • 2021 Scholarship - Cate Lightbody
    • 2018 Scholarship - Riley Mulroy
    • 2017 Scholarship - Mia Straccia
    • 2016 Scholarship - Bridget Connell
    • 2015 Scholarship - Marc Sheehan
    • 2014 Scholarship - Michael McKeon
  • Dan Sheehan Lifetime Achievement Award
  • In Memoriam
    • Bill Bowen 1952-2024
    • Rosemary Mitchell 1944 - 2022
    • Kathleen Hardigan 1970 - 2022
    • Marge Scholz 1930 - 2021
    • Bruce Hainsworth 1923 - 2020
    • Rich Morton 1948 - 2019
    • Gene Guidi 1937 - 2019
    • Parker Chick 1932 - 2018
    • Barbara Pettis 1936 - 2017
    • Roger Pettis 1939 - 2016
    • Rita Rosano 1931 - 2016
    • Ceil Koziol 1922 - 2012
    • Joseph P. Scholz 1926 - 2008
    • Tom Svingen 1935 - 2006
    • Ed Kanter 1931 - 2004
    • Harry Harding 1904 - 2002
    • Sam Greiff 1921 - 2002
    • Sue Bennett Fielding 1928 - 2001
    • Eleanor "Soosie" Harding 1906 - 1999
    • Angelo "Beebe" DeFlaminis 1916 - 1998
    • John F. Ryan, Ph.D 1908-1982
    • John Goss 1887-1963
  • Walpole Footlighters Privacy Policy

Barbara Pettis 1936 - 2017

Picture

Barbara W. Pettis of Franklin, MA died unexpectedly on July 2 from complications of surgery - just shy of her 81st birthday. 

The phrase "one of a kind" has never been truer than it is of Barbara. Born of proud German stock on July 29, 1936 in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Barbara had a congenital condition that affected her mobility, but she refused to feel sorry for herself and stoically led a full, rich life that most able-bodied people only dream about. Raised to value higher education, she graduated from Syracuse University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1958. After college, she worked in New York City for a series of children's magazines eventually earning promotion to Art Editor. She married in 1961 and moved to Northern New Jersey for a time. In 1966 the family moved to Franklin, MA where she became a pioneering marketing representative in the nascent technology industry for 30 years. She retired from Digital Equipment Corporation in 1995. That left her time to pursue her first love – theatre. For a time, she worked as a theatre coach at the Franklin Center for the Performing Arts. She traveled to New York as often as possible to see Broadway shows and enjoy fine cuisine.
​
It was musical theatre that led her to the Franklin (MA) Singers back in the 1970s where she performed in her first productions until her husband gently suggested that she not sing. So she transferred her vast store of other talents to the Walpole Footlighters where she became a mainstay for 45 years. She was also active at the MMAS Black Box Theater in Mansfield. At the Footlighters, Barbara acted, directed, worked backstage, served on the board, and managed publicity for decades. She was slated to direct The Savannah Sipping Society for the Footlighters in October. In keeping with the theatrical tradition: "The show must go on" as scheduled!
​
There are so many dimensions to Barbara that it is impossible to capture them all. She always dressed "to the nines" and was known for her signature hats, sunglasses, and pocket books. In addition to theatre, she loved cross-word puzzles, cooking, gardening, horse racing and red convertibles. Her dinner parties are legendary. She spent many happy days with her neighbors in the Skyline Estates neighborhood in Franklin and at her cottage on Cape Cod. Her daily routine included reading several newspapers where she studied the statistics on Major League Baseball. She was raised a Phillies fan but when she moved to New England she saw the wisdom of converting to the Red Sox and followed them avidly until the day she died. Some of her last spoken words were: "How did the Sox do today?"

Privacy Policy
Playhouse: 2 Scout Rd, East Walpole, MA
Mail: PO Box 189, Walpole, MA 02081
Box Office: 508-668-8446
Copyright © The Walpole Footlighters
  • Home
  • Plan Your Visit
    • Snow Policy
  • About Us
    • Calendar
    • Auditions >
      • Information for Cast and Crew
      • Audition Tips
      • Children's Theatre
    • Past Productions >
      • Walpole Footlighters 2023-2024 SEASON
      • Walpole Footlighters 2022-2023 Season
      • Walpole Footlighters 2021-2022 Season
      • Walpole Footlighters 2020-2021 Season
      • Walpole Footlighters 2019-2020 Season
      • Walpole Footlighters 2018-2019 Season
      • Walpole Footlighters 2017-2018 Season >
        • Savannah Slide Show
        • Radium Girls Slide Show
        • Lucky Stiff Slide Show
      • Walpole Footlighters 2016-2017 Season >
        • Great American Trailer Park Slideshow
      • Walpole Footlighters 2015-2016 Season >
        • Charlie Brown Slide show
      • Walpole Footlighters 2014-2015 Season
      • Walpole Footlighters 2013-2014 Season
      • Walpole Footlighters 2012-2013 Season
      • Walpole Footlighters 2011-2012 Season
      • Walpole Footlighters 2010-2011 Season
      • Walpole Footlighters 2009-2010 Season
      • Walpole Footlighters 2008-2009
      • Walpole Footlighters 2007-2008 Season
      • Walpole Footlighters 2006-2007 Season
      • Walpole Footlighters 2005-2006 Season
      • Walpole Footlighters 2004-2005 Season
      • Walpole Footlighters 2003-2004 Season
    • COVID-19 Protocols
    • Harassment Policy
    • History >
      • 90th Anniversary Slide Show
    • Accessibility and Inclusion >
      • The Cake
  • Tickets
    • FAQ for Subscribers
    • Ticket Exchanges
    • Playhouse Seating Chart
    • Card to Culture
  • Members
    • Members Handbook
    • Member Mingle
    • Production Schedule Checklist
    • Program Book Checklist
    • Tax Laws
    • Board of Directors
    • Play Selection Committee
    • Board of Directors Job Descriptions >
      • President
      • Vice-President
      • Secretary
      • Treasurer
      • Public Relations Manager
      • Facilities Manager
      • Publications Manager
      • Member at Large
      • Social Media Manager
      • Play Selection Committee Chair
      • Box Office Manager
      • Subscriptions Manager
    • Walpole Footlighters Bylaws
  • Support Us
    • Backers Program >
      • Walpole Footlighters 2024-2025 Backers
      • Walpole Footlighters 2023-2024 Backers
      • Walpole Footlighters 2022-2023 Backers
      • Walpole Footlighters 2021-2022 Backers
      • Walpole Footlighters 2020-2021 Backers
      • Walpole Footlighters 2019-2020 Backers
      • Walpole Footlighters 2018-2019 Backers
      • Walpole Footlighters 2017-2018 Backers
      • Walpole Footlighters 2015-2016 Backers
    • Advertise with Us
    • Volunteer and Learn >
      • Usher Guidelines
  • ​Kathleen R. Hardigan Memorial Scholarship
    • 2024 Scholarship - Alexandra Richardson
    • 2023 Scholarship - Rishabh Nevatia
    • 2022 Scholarship - Sophia Goodsell
    • 2021 Scholarship - Mahoney Cyr
    • 2021 Scholarship - Brenna Hughes
    • 2021 Scholarship - Cate Lightbody
    • 2018 Scholarship - Riley Mulroy
    • 2017 Scholarship - Mia Straccia
    • 2016 Scholarship - Bridget Connell
    • 2015 Scholarship - Marc Sheehan
    • 2014 Scholarship - Michael McKeon
  • Dan Sheehan Lifetime Achievement Award
  • In Memoriam
    • Bill Bowen 1952-2024
    • Rosemary Mitchell 1944 - 2022
    • Kathleen Hardigan 1970 - 2022
    • Marge Scholz 1930 - 2021
    • Bruce Hainsworth 1923 - 2020
    • Rich Morton 1948 - 2019
    • Gene Guidi 1937 - 2019
    • Parker Chick 1932 - 2018
    • Barbara Pettis 1936 - 2017
    • Roger Pettis 1939 - 2016
    • Rita Rosano 1931 - 2016
    • Ceil Koziol 1922 - 2012
    • Joseph P. Scholz 1926 - 2008
    • Tom Svingen 1935 - 2006
    • Ed Kanter 1931 - 2004
    • Harry Harding 1904 - 2002
    • Sam Greiff 1921 - 2002
    • Sue Bennett Fielding 1928 - 2001
    • Eleanor "Soosie" Harding 1906 - 1999
    • Angelo "Beebe" DeFlaminis 1916 - 1998
    • John F. Ryan, Ph.D 1908-1982
    • John Goss 1887-1963
  • Walpole Footlighters Privacy Policy