Barbara Joan Richards Cannata, 85 of Lake Placid passed peacefully from this life on Thursday, October 7, 2021 at The Bob and Donna Somers Hospice House in Sebring, Florida. She was born in Boston, Massachusetts on February 7, 1936 to Ernest James Richards and Helen Thomas Richards and was raised in Dorchester, Massachusetts. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 43 years, Gerard Sebastian Cannata and sisters June Montgomery and Ellie Mullins. The oldest of six daughters and the mother of five children, Barbara was always the matriarch of her family and the rock that everyone leaned upon. She was an extraordinary homemaker, whose hobbies included gardening, sewing, knitting, drawing, pastels, decorating, cooking and baking. However, her family, whom she loved and fiercely protected, was most important to her. She is survived by her sisters Linda Poteet of Monterey, Tennessee, Shirley Nicholl of Tallahassee and Laurie Richards of Coconut Creek, children Donna Hanson and husband Steve of Hazen, ND, Michael Cannata and wife Melita of Palm Coast, Holly Elliott and husband Mark of Lake Placid, Melissa Gross and husband Bill of Sanford, NC, and Robert Cannata of Fort Meyers, grandchildren Dwayne Hanson, Stephanie Ullery, Jimmy Cannata, Megan Cannata, John-Michael Elliott, Tiffany Poyner, Abriana Gross, Gabriella Gross and Robert Cannata and eleven great-grandchildren. A graveside service will be held at 10:30 AM on October 30, 2021 at Lakeview Memorial Gardens in Avon Park with the Reverend Drew Severance officiating. The family expresses their heartfelt appreciation to the compassionate staff of Compassionate Care Hospice and The Bud and Donna Somers Hospice House. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Good Shepherd, The Bud and Donna Somers Hospice House; Compassionate Care Hospice; and Barbara's favorite charity, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place