Barbara Alexander Kiriakos

Of Topsfield, formerly of Hull, passed away peacefully on November 19, 2009 surrounded by her family. Beloved wife of the late Keo Kiriakos. Loving mother of Christian Kiriakos of Topsfield and his wife Sara, and Christina Kiriakos of Quincy.  Cherished grandmother of Keo. Dear sister of James Alexander of Norwood.

Born August 20, 1927, she spent her formative years in Boston where she had a vibrant acting career. She was a graduate of the Bishop Lee School of Theatre in Beacon Hill, founded in 1935, where she later taught, directed and performed.  She was also a well-known member of the summer theater community in Boothbay Harbor, Maine.

In the 1950s she moved to Hull with her family where she became a recognized business and civic leader. She was president of the Hull-Nantasket Chamber of Commerce for two terms, and also served on many boards and councils, including the Hingham Visiting Nurse Association Advisory Board, Hull Arts Lottery Council, Hull Performing Arts, Dukakis Anti-Drug Commission, and the Hull Summer Concert Series at the Bernie King Pavilion. Her dedication to the community led her to be honored with “Barbara Kiriakos Day” on April 29, 1991.

She was the managing editor of the Hull-Nantasket-Times and later founded and published the Hull Reporter. From 1984 to 1993, she was an award-winning local cable television producer and host of “Open House with Barbara.”  Her guests included such prominent people as Cardinal Bernard Law, former U.S. Representative Gerry Studds, former Lieutenant Governor Francis Bellotti, and Congressman Barney Frank to name just a few.

Her family and friends are blessed to have known such an elegant, kind, and generous woman and she will be dearly missed.

Services will be held at the William F. Spencer Funeral Home, 575 E. Broadway, South Boston on Saturday, November 28 from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. Interment will be private.