Obituary: Barbara A. (Akashian) Huttig, 85 of Woburn

The following obituary is courtesy of Barbara Huttig's family and the Lynch-Cantillon funeral home:

Barbara A. (Akashian) Huttig – of Woburn, died peacefully surrounded by her loving and devoted family on February 25th. She was the beloved wife of 63 years to the late Leon K. Huttig. She was 85 years young.

Born and raised in Lowell, MA, Barbara was the only daughter of the late Anna (Cassidy) and Newton Akashian. She attended Notre Dame Academy in Tyngsboro, MA from nursery through high school. An avid dancer and pianist, she loved the Arts. As a teen, she went to modeling school in Boston and became the youngest person in Massachusetts to ever receive a hairdresser’s license. She graduated from Lowell Academy Hairstyling Institute, which was owned by her parents, and modeled hairstyles with her father.

At 15, she met the love of her life while attending advanced classes in hair design in New York City. It did not take long for Leon to realize that she was one in a million. They married when Barbara was 17, moved to Woburn and began their journey together. Barbara and Leon were the epitome of love birds. Together, they worked side by side as owners and hairdressers at Robert Newton Haircare in Woburn for 50 years. Barbara’s elegance and grace brought her hair modeling career to the top. She along with her father and husband won many State and National hairstyling competitions. All this while raising four active daughters.

Barbara was incredibly proud of her daughters and enjoyed all of their activities, it brought great joy to her. She was blessed to be a grandmother to eight and great-grandmother to five. Treasured memories were made with her grandchildren when hearing of their stories and adventures. She looked forward to her facetime chats with her great grandchildren as well. Her confidence, poise and conviction made her a strong role model to her children and grandchildren. She had a saying, “tell me who your friends are and I’ll tell you what you’re up to.” Whenever we were bothered or worried, she’d tell us to just keep talking about it until you’re so tired of listening to yourself talk. She taught us that a steadfast work ethic was necessary to achieve financial success and that it was just as important to find balance in your life so that you could enjoy it.

As an entrepreneur and citizen, Barbara served on the Board of Directors for the Woburn Chamber of Commerce, spearheaded the downtown beautification committee, and participated in the Woburn Garden Club and Conservation Committee.

Barbara embraced her career in cosmetology. She modeled hairstyles with her husband and won numerous State and National awards. She became a hairdressing instructor and served on the Advisory Board for the Northeast Regional Vocational School. A long-standing member and President of the Malden Cosmetologist Association and served as Board Member, Membership Chair, and Financial Secretary of the Massachusetts State Cosmetologist Association, and she even won a Massachusetts State Hairdresser of the Year award.

A stylist for the stars, she worked for three years on the Universal Studios Banacek set starring George Peppard. Alongside her hairdresser daughters, she volunteered as a “Look Good Feel Better” instructor for the American Cancer Society.

Barbara loved spending time with her family and going on vacation. She enjoyed numerous cruises, traveling around the country, casino trips, going out to dinner, and vacationing in Miami Beach. She looked forward to attending shows at the North Shore Music Theatre, Sunday dinners at Markey’s followed by people watching at Hampton Beach and Hodgie’s before heading home. After her retirement, Barbara and her husband Leon spent their time between Woburn and Clearwater Beach, FL which she loved. She read endless books on how to improve her health, went to many events at the Woburn Senior Center, participated in philosophy class at Top of The World, and relaxed by swimming in the pool with her noodle or watching a Hallmark movie. Her sweet tooth was unmatched. She loved Italian pastries, and if there was a reason to celebrate, you could always find ice cream in the freezer. She had an impressive collection of beauty products and clothing, and no matter what the occasion, looked glamorous most every day.

Barbara knew no strangers. She touched the lives of many people with her smile and kind heart. She was the matriarch of the Huttig family. She was strong, smart, and beautiful and will be dearly missed but never forgotten by the ones she loved most. At her High School send off, the students were given a note that summarized their personality. It is surreal how right they were. It said, “She’s very efficient and always well-groomed, She’s very well poised, and this isn’t assumed. She’s even of mind, with fun-loving ways. We hope her good humor will last all her days.” We were blessed that it did.

Barbara was the cherished mother of Barbara A. Clausen, her husband Alan of Woburn, Linda H. Sullivan, her husband James of Kennebunkport, ME, Heidi H. Maraschiello, her husband Anthony of Woburn and Sherry Lee Flaherty, her husband Peter of Hampton, NH. Cherished “Oma” of Randi Mammino, Robyn Borsic, Shawna Marino, Andrew and Elizabeth Sullivan, Annie Spagnolo, Skyler and Cyrena Flaherty and great-grandmother of Madyson, Haylee, Leo, Briella and Julia. Sister of Bruce Akashian of Lowell and the late Newton R. Akashian. Beloved aunt to her loving nephew George Huttig and his wife Julie and their children of NY. Cousin and best friend of Queena Karibian of Lowell and the late Mary Lane and Irma Huttig.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend her Funeral Mass on Thursday, March 3rd in St. Anthony Church, 851 Main St., Woburn at 10 a.m. Interment will follow in Woodbrook Cemetery. Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, March 2nd from 4-7 p.m. in the Lynch-Cantillon Funeral Home, 263 Main St., Woburn, MA. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made in Barbara’s honor to the Woburn Senior Center 144 School Street, Woburn, MA 01801