October 26, 2023, the Good Lord called our Angel home. Barbara M. Avery passed away at home with her loving family by her side. She was 97.

She was born in Bridgton, December 10, 1925, to C. Merle and Edith E. Libby.

She attended local schools. She was a past member of the Bridgton Literary Club, the Bridgton Congregational Church Guild, and the Grange. She spoke fondly of growing up on South High Street,
where she and her dear friend Ruthie Hazelton would sweep the entire sidewalk so they could roller-skate. Growing up she could have been seen fishing with her father on Highland Lake or rowing up “to the head of the lake” listening to her wind up Victrola record player. She had several jobs in her life ranging from working at her brother’s mill, J.R. Mains Co., where she packed wood turnings for shipping, to driving the delivery truck. She also worked as a telephone operator as well as a housekeeper at area camps.

Her greatest love was for God and family. That was proven in how she lived her life. At 95 she was baptized at Woods Pond, at the time of her passing she was attending Grace Christian Church. That love was shared with her friends and everyone she met. She loved music, loved to sing and oh, how she loved to dance. That was evident at her 90th birthday we had at the Bridgton Town Hall where she danced across the floor wearing the lead singer’s cowboy hat. Her love was also shown at home in many ways like in the meals she cooked for her family and all who came through the door. Her banana bread was the best ever. She loved camping with her children, great-grandchildren and friends, and going for rides.

She will be sadly missed and fondly remembered for the special lady she was. She was predeceased by her parents, her sister Katherine, her brother James R. “Bud” and his wife Priscilla Sid Mains, her sister Frances and her husband Henri de Tiberge, her grandson Gavin Daigle, her ex-husband Vernard, and just recently her daughter-in-law Mary Avery. She leaves behind her sons Richard and his wife Daphne of Westbrook, Kenneth and his wife Linda, Robert and his wife Sherry of Kentucky, Kevin and his partner Deborah Stanford of Bridgton and David of Minot; daughter Joyce and her partner Dan Leet of Lewiston; grandchildren Allison, Tyler, Chris, April, Kenny, Christen, Michelle, Bobby, Robert, Matt, Mike and John; several great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours were held on Tuesday, October 31, 2023, at Chandler Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 8 Elm Street in Bridgton. Funeral Services were held on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, at The Masonic Hall 166 Harrison Road, Bridgton.

To share memories and condolences with the family please go to www.chandlerfunerals.com