Barbara Virginia Orlando

PORTLAND- Barbara Orlando, 93, passed away peacefully Monday, January 29, 2024, after a long fulfilling life. She was born in Portland, Maine on September 11, 1930, to parents William and Barbara Baillargeon whom she respected and honored her whole life.

Barbara was the oldest of six children, two sisters and three brothers. She had many responsibilities at a young age caring for her siblings.

After public school, she married Armand Orlando on January 24, 1951. They lived briefly in Millinocket, Maine before moving back to Portland where they began to build a family. They had three boys before moving to Gray, Maine in 1961 where they lived for 17 years.

Barbara was a stay-at-home mother until 1967 when she went to work for the State of Maine at Pineland Hospital as a seamstress. This job later expanded into an exclusive position as an upholsterer of unique, adaptive equipment for handicapped patients designed and built on site. Barbara remained in this position until she retired in 1998.

Barbara was also an excellent cook to the delight of her family and friends. Christmas was an especially enjoyable time for her, creating each of her family members’ favorite holiday cookies.

Barbara and Armand were married for 41 years until his death on February 22, 1993. Barbara remained in their home in New Gloucester until moving to Deering Pavilion in 2012 where she remained living unassisted until her passing.

Barbara was predeceased by her husband Armand, her parents, her brothers John, Bill, and Fred and sister Catherine and daughter-in-law Robbie.

She leaves behind her son Doug and wife Mitzi, son Steve and wife Heidi, son Tony, and sister Maryann. She also leaves five grandchildren Dougie, Jill, Lucas, Kyle Orlando and Alicya Vachon and three great grandchildren Landyn and Madyx Vachon and Logan Orlando and 32 nieces and nephews.

We would like to give special thanks to all the staff at Deering Pavilion who made Barbara’s stay so enjoyable for the last 12 years. In addition, we would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff at Maine Medical Center and the staff at Gosnell Hospice House for their excellent care.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Gregory’s Church in Gray on February 10, 2024 at 11:00 A.M. A Graveside Ceremony will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Iris Network, 189 Park Avenue, Portland, ME 04102 or Gosnell Memorial Hospice House, 11 Hunnewell Road, Scarborough, ME 04074.

Please visit www.jonesrichandbarnes.com to view Barbara’s tribute page and to sign her online guestbook.