Barbara Bean Gorman Schleicher

Born on November 22, 1962, in Haverhill, Massachusetts, Barbara was raised in Exeter, New Hampshire. She was the daughter of James W. Gorman, Sr. and Maureen M. Gorman and a great-granddaughter of Leon Leonwood Bean, founder of L.L.Bean. She attended Leslie College in Boston and spent her life devoted to the people she loved most.

Barbara married Robert Schleicher, and together they welcomed two children, Courtney and Robert "Bobby" Schleicher, Jr. Following the untimely death of her husband shortly after his 40th birthday, Barbara dedicated herself to raising her children as a single mother for the next twenty-five years. Her strength, perseverance, and selflessness carried her family through life's challenges and joys alike.

Barbara's greatest love was her family. Courtney, who faced developmental challenges resulting from complications that required surgery shortly after birth, was the recipient of Barbara's tireless advocacy, care, and unconditional devotion. At the same time, Barbara ensured that Bobby was surrounded by love, encouragement, and opportunity. Courtney and Bobby were the center of her world, her proudest accomplishment, and the source of her greatest happiness.

The resilience that defined Barbara throughout adulthood was evident from an early age. As a teenager, she faced significant physical challenges and endured a lengthy recovery following major surgery. Rather than allowing those experiences to define her, they helped shape the empathy, determination, and quiet strength that became hallmarks of her character. At age sixteen, she completed an Outward Bound course, an accomplishment that reflected the perseverance she carried with her throughout her life.

Quiet and private by nature, Barbara never sought attention or recognition. Those who knew her best remember a woman who was deeply thoughtful, humble in her generosity, and blessed with a gentle sense of humor. She viewed the world with a childlike openness and kindness, finding joy in simple pleasures, family traditions, and the happiness of others. She possessed a rare ability to care deeply without asking for anything in return and touched countless lives through small acts of kindness that often went unseen.

Barbara was an avid collector whose interests ranged from sports memorabilia to treasured keepsakes and unique artifacts. She delighted in the stories behind the objects she collected and enjoyed sharing those stories with family and friends.

Throughout her life, Barbara quietly supported causes that were meaningful to her and her family. She was a dedicated supporter of LifeFlight of Maine, Cardinal Cushing Centers in Hanover, Massachusetts, and several local charitable organizations, including the North Yarmouth food pantries. Her generosity was often expressed privately and without recognition, reflecting her belief that helping others was simply the right thing to do.

Barbara is survived by her mother, Maureen M. Gorman; her children, Courtney Schleicher and Robert "Bobby" Schleicher, Jr.; her brothers, James W. Gorman, Jr., William R. Gorman, and Shawn O. Gorman; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, and dear friends.

She was predeceased by her husband, Robert Schleicher, Sr., and her father, James W. Gorman, Sr.

For twenty-five years, Barbara devoted herself to her children with extraordinary love and dedication. She asked for little for herself and found her greatest fulfillment in caring for others. Though she rarely sought recognition, the impact she made on the lives of her family and friends was profound.

Barbara's loss was sudden, but the love she gave throughout her life endures. Though her family wishes they had more time with her, they take comfort in the countless memories she created and the extraordinary devotion she showed to those she loved. Her legacy lives on in the love she gave so freely, the sacrifices she made without complaint, and the countless lives she touched through her compassion, generosity, and unwavering devotion.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 307 Congress Street, Portland, Maine. In lieu of flowers, the family invites memorial donations to three organizations that were especially important to Barbara: LifeFlight of Maine, P.O. Box 859, Augusta, ME, 04332, Morrison Center, 60 Chamberlain Road, Scarborough, ME, 04074, and Cardinal Cushing Centers Inc., Hanover, MA, 02339-3212.