Marjorie Kathleen Barber

Marjorie Barber, 86, passed away peacefully at her home on Monday, June27th after sixteen years with Alzheimer's Disease. She is predeceased by her parents, Joseph F. and Emma Jordan, her husband Augustus (Gus) Barber and her siblings: Lillian Flynn, Marie Jordan, Chester Jordan, H. Stephen Jordan, as well as Jef Flynn.

Marjorie grew up in South Portland and spent many summers enjoying Higgins Beach. She graduated at the top of her class from South Portland High School and then joined the family business, Jordan Meats, as a bookkeeper. Working the front office brought her in contact with their customers, one of which was Gus. He was smitten from the start but Marjorie and the Jordan's were unsure of this "swarthy Armenian". As with everyone Gus met, they quickly learned to love this ambitious and kind man. Within two years they were married (a union that lasted 55 years until Gus's passing in 2008) and started Barber Beef and Poultry, which grew into Barber Foods. Marjorie worked alongside Gus to build the business as they raised their four children, Stephen, Julie, David and Kathryn. Marjorie was always in motion tending to the children, home or business.

The family enjoyed Sundays at Higgins Beach with Marjorie's family - eating her mother's German cooking and delicious Apple pies, walking the beach and playing card games. Later, Marjorie and Gus spent winter weekends in North Conway, New Hampshire where the whole family learned to downhill and cross country ski which quickly became a passion for all. Later, they enjoyed winters and new friends in Marco Island, Florida. She and Gus quickly created a routine of long walks on the beach, swims in the pool and improving their golf game (Marjorie once got a birdie....literally hitting a cormorant with her golf ball!)

Wherever the location, Marjorie was the consummate entertainer. She would single-handedly put together a BBQ or dinner party for 50-100 people. Her Cape Elizabeth parties soon got the reputation that if Marjorie was having a party, it would rain, regardless of the forecast. After years of having to host gatherings in her garage, Marjorie finally decided to renovate it. It is probably the nicest garage in Cape Elizabeth and was used frequently once completed!

Marjorie was accomplished, organized, and compassionate. She enjoyed a lively game of tennis, cooking delicious meals, having family over for a swim and telling Gus to do chores (which he quickly delegated to the kids). She had a great knack for being the voice of reason, naming boats (Fowl Play), dressing her daughters, sleepovers for the grandchildren and beating Gus at backgammon.

Marjorie was a communicant of St Bartholomew's Catholic Church in Cape Elizabeth. She was a member of the board for Seventy-Five State Street and the Salvation Army.

She is survived by her children: Stephen and his wife Mimi and their children Caitlin and her husband Nicholas Carlucci, Augustus and Samuel. Julie Barber and her husband Thomas Hayward MD and her bonus children Sarah and her husband Philip Negus and Seth Hayward. David and his wife Dorie and their children Jack and Max. Kathryn Barber and her husband Mark Dvorozniak and their children Lucas and Emma. Her sister Barbara Devine, brother David Jordan and his wife Nancy and sister-in-law Cathi Jordan as well as many nieces and nephews including Deborah Ackerman.