Barbara MacNayr

Barbara MacNayr of Pittsfield, MA passed away peacefully and gracefully on December 28, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. Barbara was a kind and gentle soul, a wonderful and devoted daughter, sister, friend, aunt, wife, mother, and grandmother. She was the youngest of 4 sisters born to Harold and Jessie Fairfield of Pittsfield. As a child, Barb was active in the Girl Scouts of America and enjoyed days spent swimming and sailing on Richmond Pond with her lifelong best friend, Holly. Barbara graduated from Pittsfield High School in 1957 and went on to attend the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where she met the love of her life, Russell MacNayr. Barb and Russ were married in 1961 and spent several years traveling the country, eventually building a home in West Suffield, CT, where they raised their two children, Matthew and Marcy.

Barb and Russ were both avid readers, nature lovers, and music fans and maintained many lifelong friendships formed in high school and throughout all of their travels. Barbara was a lifelong creator of beauty- whether in the kitchen, the garden, or her craft room, she poured her care and creativity into whatever she was making. She adored spending time with her children and granddaughter as well as her extended family, teaching them her crafts- especially cross stitch, painting, and baking. Barb also enjoyed visiting Audubon sanctuaries and Botanical gardens, as well as hosting her family and friends in her beautiful home.

Barbara is survived by her beloved children; son, Matt MacNayr and his wife Christina of Lee, MA, her daughter Marcy Ford and her husband Jason of Harwich, MA, and her granddaughter Emmilyn MacDonald and her husband Ben of Lenox Dale, MA as well as her sister- in-law Julie Pike of Montgomery, MA, along with many nieces and nephews from both sides of her family. Her family finds comfort in knowing she has been reunited with her loving husband, Russ, her three sisters, Helen, Elizabeth, and Jean, as well as her parents, grandparents, and mother and father-in-law.

Services to celebrate Barbara’s life and legacy will be held at the United Church of Christ at 110 South St. in Pittsfield at 11:30 am on Saturday, January 10th, 2026. Private burial to follow in the Spring. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to support causes near to her heart, including: Massachusetts Audubon Society, Suffield Land Conservancy, and National Public Radio c/o Kelly Funeral Home, 3 Main St., Lee, MA.