Margaret Barber

PORTLAND -- Margaret Barber, of Portland, passed away near midnight on May 4, 2013. She had recently celebrated her 98th birthday. Margaret, a lifelong resident of Portland, was the daughter of Armenian parents: Hagop (Jack) Barber and Tzarig (Rose) Gononian Barber.

Following graduation from Portland High School, she worked at retail establishments such as W.T. Grant and later secured a position in the collections department at Casco Bank. Margaret was very proud of her achievements at the bank where she developed payment plans for clients who were temporarily unable to pay the full amount of their loan each month. Her efforts kept them from default. She might have been among the first women with such authority in Portland's banking industry.

Margaret's next opportunity was to join her brother John in 1964 as owners of Anthony's Restaurant on Center Street, transforming it into Anthony's Restaurant and Supper Club featuring nightly entertainment, and making it one of Portland's more successful restaurants during the next 10 years.

Margaret was best known for producing an annual Armenian dance for many years. She brought Armenian bands, most notably that of Artie Barsamian, to Portland. These popular 'Kef Time' affairs were attended by hundreds of Armenians and non-Armenians alike, introducing 'odah's' to Armenian music, food, culture and dancing. The proceeds benefited the Armenian section of the Forest City Cemetery.

Margaret passed on her love of Armenian cooking to her nieces and nephews from her signature tourshi (pickled peppers, cabbage and other vegetables) to cheese boeregs (phyllo dough triangles filled with a mixture of cheeses) to a marvelous tabouli.

She loved to travel, especially with her sister and especially to Hawaii. Margaret was fiercely independent, living on her own until the last year of her life. Her remarkable memory and biting sense of humor were still evident in her final weeks.

Margaret was preceded in death by all her younger siblings, John Barber of Hollis Center, Gus Barber of Cape Elizabeth and Allie Mougalian of Portland; and by her niece Lisa Ann Mougalian Pedro. She leaves nine nieces and nephews and several great- and great-great-nieces and nephews. To quote a niece: 'She was so much more than just the things she did!'

Funeral services will take place at the Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St., on Monday, May 13. A visiting hour will take place at 10 a.m., followed by a service at 11 a.m. Interment will follow at Forest City Cemetery at 12 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts to the Maine Cancer Society , the American Diabetes Association or another favorite charity are welcome.