Barbara Gildard

PORTLAND — Barbara E. (Perham) Gildard, 77, of Portland passed away on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017 with her family by her side.

She was born in Portland, on April 16, 1940, the daughter of Arthur and Anna Wernig Perham. Graduating from Portland High School in the class of 1958, she later went on to receive her associate’s degree from Andover College. She retired from Aetna Insurance after many years of work as a claims manager. She was also employed by the State of Maine as a child care provider for special needs children while her children were young, and out of high school was a true telephone operator for New England Telephone.

She married the love of her life, Roland Gildard, in June of 1969.

Barbara enjoyed doing many things, but there was nothing more important to her than spending time with family. Her door was always open. To her family and the neighborhood children, everyone knew her as Nana. She loved to read, work crossword puzzles while sitting in her Victorian sitting room, and watch old movies with some of her favorites being The King and I, as well as, How the Grinch Stole Christmas. She loved to tend to her gardens. Throughout her life, she was actively involved in Girl Scouts, Brownies and the Lions Club, as well as the Portland Eagles Women’s Auxiliary. Her Irish heritage was something that she held very close to her heart, unfortunately never getting to visit the country.

She is survived by her children, Daune M. Brzoska of Portland, Robert J. Willette of Naples, Patrisha A. Reed of Raymond and Cheryl A. (Sherry) Gildard and Alexis C. Seader of Portland; six grandchildren; brothers Raymond Perham of South Carolina and William Perham of Westbrook; and a sister, Patricia Bailey of Florida.

She was predeceased by her husband, Roland L. (Rollie); and a granddaughter.

Visitation was held on Sunday, Oct. 29 at Jones, Rich & Barnes Funeral Home, 199 Woodford Street, Portland. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Joseph’s Church, Stevens Avenue, on Oct. 30 followed by a reception at Jones, Rich & Barnes Funeral Home.