Barbara J. (Sousa) Cochrane, 90 of Warren, RI, passed away peacefully in the presence of family on Monday, March 17, 2025. A daughter of Georgianna (DeArruda) and Frank F. Sousa, Barbara was born and raised in Bristol, RI. She was a member of the Colt High School Class of 1952 and enjoyed many reunions with classmates over the years since.

Barbara married the love of her life, Charles A. Cochrane, and together they raised the family which was the core of her happiness. She enjoyed time spent with her children, Charles Jr. (Jennifer) of Somerset, the late Jacalyn (Bill Dispirito) of Fall River, Robert (Dolores) of North Providence, and the late Christopher of Warren. Barbara cherished each of her ten grandchildren: Courtney Moore, Robert Cochrane Jr, Ryanne Cochrane, Brenna Cochrane, Alainna Cochrane, Jessica Dispirito, Dylan Cochrane, Alexandra Dispirito, Katherine Dispirito, and Juliet Cochrane. She also cherished each of her 9 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren.

Barbara was a woman of strong faith, independent and organized even after her 90th birthday. For over twenty years, she looked forward to her weekly phone calls from Joshua Regan, her first great-grandchild. Barbara loved to travel, however hated to fly. Yet, she agreed to fly to visit her dearly loved younger brother, the late Frank J. Sousa near Chicago, Illinois and also with her husband to explore Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon in celebration of his retirement. By car, she traveled all over New England, south to Virgina and Florida, and out to Iowa and Missouri to visit her husband’s family. She was a skilled and admired cook who loved to share her specialties and family favorites for holiday gatherings. Everyone in the family woke up each Christmas morning with Nana’s Banana Bread. She baked individual loaves for each family household and distributed them at the annual Christmas Eve celebration. We will miss Nana and her Christmas banana bread and will remember it as a symbol of the love she had for each and every member of her family, and her desire to always do more.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11AM on Friday, March 28, 2025, at St. Elizabeth’s Church, 577 Wood Street, Bristol, RI.

The family would like to thank the staff at HopeHealth Hulitar for their gracious and skilled support and for providing dignified, capable care and comfort during Mom’s (Nana’s) final days.

Barbara was a long-time supporter of St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. In lieu of flowers, donations in Barbara’s memory may be made to St. Jude’s (StJude.org) or HopeHealth Hulitar Hospice Center, 1085 N. Main St., Providence, RI 02904.