Barbara Joanne Parent

Born in Bath on August 10th, 1938, to Gerald and Blanche Robinson, Barbara moved to Portland at a young age, attending public schools and graduating from Portland High School in 1956. At age 15, she met her first love and love of her life, Robert “Bob” Parent while roller skating. Upon graduation, Barbara worked at New England Telephone in the drafting department.

In 1958, Barbara and Bob married and started a family. The newlywed couple first settled in Portland. In 1962, Bob’s National Guard unit was activated during the Berlin Crisis, requiring him to abruptly leave his job and report for duty in Fort Campbell, Kentucky to serve his country. Determined to be with her husband, Barbara hopped into her convertible with her two-year-old son, Bob Jr., and her 5-week-old daughter, Teri and drove to Kentucky. After activation, the couple returned to their home in Portland and eventually settled in Scarborough in 1966.

Barbara was first and foremost a homemaker and caretaker to her 3 children and eventually her 4 grandchildren. Family was always Barbara’s number one priority and a role she did extraordinarily well. In the early 1970’s Barbara and Bob decided to get into camping. While Barbara liked the idea of spending time with her family, tents and outhouses weren’t her thing, so they decided to purchase a travel trailer complete with comfortable beds and a bathroom. The family traveled in their travel trailer along the East Coast to Florida twice, Niagara Falls, Montreal, Prince Edward Island, and local campgrounds.

Barbara took pleasure in baking and cooking for her family but also used her skills to host numerous holiday dinners with extended family, neighborhood Christmas and company parties.

Barbara’s hobbies included ceramics and crewel embroidery. She was skilled in crochet and made numerous Christmas ornaments, decorative pieces, including wedding favors for her family. For years, Barbara was a Sugarloafer skiing every weekend and school vacation with her husband and children. In the warmer months, Barbara and Bob boated on Sebago Lake and they would often bicycle from their home in Scarborough to local beaches. She briefly tried her hand at golf and tennis but found she liked wearing the outfits more than playing either sport! Barbara found enjoyment in shopping and was known by her family and friends for being a savvy shopper. She spent hours picking wild blueberries in various places in Scarborough and at her youngest son’s home in her later years. She would often bake delicious blueberry bundt cakes and share with family and friends. She stayed fit through exercise and walked regularly on the Eastern Trail, Ferry and Pine Point beaches with her husband and dog, Molly. Barbara and Bob took several cruises to the Caribbean Islands and Alaska.

As her children grew older, Barbara began buying and managing apartment houses. She was an excellent landlord, getting to know her tenants personally, and taking great pride in the quality of her apartment units which she remodeled herself.

In retirement, Barbara and Bob spent winters at their vacation home in Melbourne, Florida. Barbara enjoyed eating ice cream and listening to 50’s, 60’ and 70’s music, both of which provided a sense of familiarity and comfort in her later years.

Barbara was known throughout her life as a compassionate, caring, and selfless person. She always put the needs of others first, whether it was family, friends, or acquaintances. She led by example and was an excellent role model and instilled a strong work ethic that was passed on to her children and grandchildren.

Barbara was predeceased by her parents, Gerald and Blanche, and sister Beverly. She is survived by her husband, Bob, of 66 years, son Bob Jr. (Sue) of Portland, daughter Teri of Salt Lake City, Utah, Jim (Suzanne) of Scarborough, grandchildren, Bob III (a.k.a. Rob), Natalie, Andrew, and Eric, along with nieces and nephews.

A celebration of a Life Well Lived will be take place at Jones, Rich and Barnes Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St. in Portland, Maine on February 10th, 2025. Visiting hours will be held from 9:30-11:00 followed by a service and lunch. A graveside burial will be held at Evergreen Cemetery in Portland in the Spring.

The Parent Family would like to thank the fine staff at Scarborough Terrace who provided love, compassion, and a high level of care for Barbara and our family during a difficult time.

The family requests those who wish to express sympathy consider donating to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.