The Reporter is sad to report that our longtime columnist and friend Barbara McDonough died last night at age 86. Barbara has been battling illness for the last two years and was in declining health in recent weeks, as we reported recently.

Barbara retired from her role at the Reporter in 2015.

Her official death notice follows:

McDonough, Barbara L. (Short), of Dorchester, formerly of Jamaica Plain, died at age 87, Dec. 31, 2021. Beloved wife of 59 years of the late Vincent J. McDonough. Loving mother of Paul and his wife Alexandra Rubington of Framingham, Susan of Dorchester, and Jeanne and her husband David Pratt of Rockport. Beloved grandmother of Brendan Pratt and Erin Pratt and her fiancé Brendan O’Connell.

Dear sister of the late John (Jack) Short, formerly of Melrose, MA and Port Charlotte, FL. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Barbara was a long-time columnist for The Dorchester Reporter newspaper and recording secretary for Popes’ Hill Neighborhood Association. She graduated Girls’ Latin School (Boston) in 1952 and State Teachers’ College at Boston in 1956.

Visiting hours at the Alfred D. Thomas Funeral Home, 326 Granite Ave., Milton on Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022 from 3 to 7 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Christopher Church, 265 Mt. Vernon St, Dorchester, Thursday morning Jan. 6, 2022 at 10:00 am. Interment will follow in Cedar Grove Cemetery, Dorchester. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish, 800 Columbia Rd., Dorchester, MA 02125 or to a charity of your choice.