Barbara M. Kirk of Melrose, died on Friday, November 23, 2012 at the Bear Hill Nursing Home in Wakefield. She was 85 years old. Born on July 9, 1927 in Malden, Massachusetts, she was a devoted daughter of the late Thomas J. & Mary V. (Lee) Kirk. Barbara was raised in Malden and a 1944 graduate of Girls Catholic High School of Malden. She was a Melrose resident for over 50 years, a member of the Most Blessed Sacrament Church of Wakefield and sang in the choir. Ms. Kirk worked as an editor with Addison Wesley, D.C. Heath & Houghton Mifflin Publishing and volunteered at the New England Memorial Hospital. She enjoyed knitting, cross stitching, ceramics, York Beach, Maine, Nubble Light & the Jerry Jingle Woods. She was the loving sister of Joan F. Tingle of Palm Desert, CA & the late Mary E. Kirk, Margaret M. O'Brien, Elizabeth A. McBride & Claire T. Kirk. Also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins & dear friends. Funeral from the Gately Funeral Home 79 W. Foster St., Melrose on Tuesday, November 27th at 9AM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held in the Most Blessed Sacrament Church 1155 Main St., Wakefield at 10AM. Relatives & friends respectfully invited. Visiting hours Monday from 4-8PM. Interment in Mt. Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Barbara's memory may be made to the Melrose Humane Society, P.O. Box 760668 Melrose, MA 02176. For directions or to sign Barbara's guest book please visit www.gatelyfh.com