Barbara T. Burns

The daughter of Clinton F. and Marion W. Thurlow, Barbara was born in Augusta Maine on January 9, 1939. She graduated from Cony High School in 1957, and furthered her education at the University of New Hampshire and SMVTI. In 1959 Barbara married Michael D. Burns. They had four children, and moved to Portland in 1967.

For many years Barbara enjoyed being a “stay at home” mom. Following a divorce in 1979, she worked in and managed a local gift shop. Having always loved the field of medicine, Barbara studied to become a unit secretary and in 1984 she began her secretarial career at the Osteopathic Hospital, where she worked for 13 years. She then worked as an office receptionist at both Mercy Primary Care, Westbrook, and Maine Centers for Healthcare, from where she retired in 2003.

Barbara loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. She was extremely involved in their lives, and found great joy in attending their extracurricular activities through the years. In her words she “was so proud of them all”. Barbara had a passion for gardening, cooking and knitting. She especially loved to travel and enjoyed her many trips to Las Vegas and casinos in Maine and Connecticut. She felt fortunate to have visited Australia on two separate occasions, and often spoke of her journey through that wonderful country. She loved football and followed the New England Patriots for many years. Barbara especially cherished her many lasting friendships.

She was predeceased by her parents, her brother, Robert, and son John (Jack). She is survived by her brother David, her children, Jeffery, Julie, and Jason; her grandchildren, Angela, Jianna, Jared, Jacob, and Julia, her great grandchildren; Hailee, Alexis, Adrianna, Ashlynne, and Audrey, and several cousins and nephews, and her close friend Mary Craven.

Family and friends are invited to attend a time of visitation on Wednesday, July 8, 2015 from 4-6 PM at Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St. Portland. A service of remembrance will follow at 6:00 PM at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation in Barbara’s name to a charity of your choice.