Barbara R. Braley

Greenbush - Barbara Rae (Bowden) Braley, known to her family and friends as “Barbie” or” Barb”, passed away unexpectedly on July 24, 2023. Barb was born on August 22, 1973, at Fort Jackson in Columbia, SC, and attended schools in Germany and in South Portland and Portland, ME. As a little girl, her favorite things to draw were hearts and rainbows, and as an adult she enjoyed the simple things in life like sunflowers and gardening, her animals, laughing with friends, and enjoying the Maine outdoors with her husband, Scott.

Barb was brave and strong and made it through difficult times with her sassy outlook on life and an incredible sense of humor. She loved her family and friends and would do anything for them. She was a daughter, a sister, a wife, a mother and a grandmother, and touched so many souls.

Barb is survived by her husband, Scott Braley; her children, Corey Bowden, Anthony “AJ” Zezima, Lorna Marie Zezima, and Tina Noelle Belanger (husband Peter). She is also survived by her mother, Deborah Sanborn McDougall (husband Bill); her father, William Bowden, Jr.; her brother, Christopher Bowden (wife Jill); her six grandsons, Joey, Zane, Jaxyn, Brysen, Landon, and Kainen. Barb’s surviving extended family includes her grandmother, Barbara Sanborn and numerous aunts and uncles, and many more cousins and nieces and nephews.

She remained in contact with friends for many years, including Tonya Gray.

Barb’s most recent Facebook quote was “Breathe darling. This is just a chapter, it’s not your whole story.”

A private viewing was held on July 26, 2023, and a Celebration of Life service will be held at a later date.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.BirminghamFuneralHome.com for the Braley family.