of Townsend; formerly of West Groton; 51 TOWNSEND -- Barbara J. (Finlay) Nixon, 51, of Greenville Road, formerly of West Groton, died Friday, August 10, 2012, at her home with family after a long and hard-fought battle with cancer.Barbara was born in Ayer, August 24, 1960, a daughter of Marion A. (Taylor) Finlay and the late Edwin R. Finlay and resided in West Groton before moving to Townsend in 1985. She was a 1979 graduate of Groton Dunstable Regional High School and continued her education at Middlesex Community College in Bedford where she majored in Business Administration.Besides her mother of West Groton, she leaves her son, Matthew P. Nixon of Townsend; her daughter, Emily A. Nixon of Townsend; her sister, Ann Quagliana of Northfield, NH; three brothers, Ray Finlay, Billy Finlay and Richard Finlay all of Ayer; her fiancée, Curt Burnham of Townsend and his two children Andrew and Rachel Burnham of Pepperell; her former husband, Paul Nixon, and his wife Heather and son Asa, of New Ipswich, NH.She also leaves behind aunts, one uncle, cousins, in-laws, nine nieces and nephews, and many beloved friends.For over twenty years Barbara worked in the Human Resources department of the Montachusett Opportunity Council in Fitchburg before failing health forced her to retire in 2007. Previously she worked at New England Business Service in Groton.Barbara was also a 2-time breast cancer survivor. She was a fighter, a survivor, and a hero and inspiration to all who knew her.Barbara enjoyed baking, loved chocolate, and was an avid Dale Earnhardt fan. She loved life and never let her hardships keep her down. She was a joyful, proud and incredibly strong woman. She will be deeply missed by all whose lives she touched.NIXON -- Funeral services will be held 10 AM Wednesday, August 15th at the T.J. Anderson & Son Funeral Home, 250 Main Street (Rte 119), Townsend Center. Please see www.andersonfuneral.com for additional information.Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery.Calling hours are 5-8 Tuesday.