Barbarba Louise (Bailey) Thornton
WEST GARDINER – Barbara Louise (Bailey) Thornton, 95, of West Gardiner passed away on Thursday, March 5, 2020 at her daughter’s home in Buxton surrounded by loved ones.
Barbara was born in Gardiner on Dec. 22, 1924, the daughter of Earl and Agnes (Praught) Bailey. Barbara graduated from Gardiner High School in 1942.
She worked as a welder at Bath Iron Works during World War II. She also worked for many years at the Gardiner Shoe Factory, the Stevens School in Hallowell, The Accessory Shop in Gardiner and at Hall-Dale High School. She was a member of Winter Street Baptist Church in Gardiner for 50-plus years.
She was predeceased by her parents; her husband, James of 63 years; three sisters, Dorothy, Catherine and Carolyn, five brothers, Donald, Elwood, Charles, Earl and Jon; granddaughter, Karyn (Mason) Truman; and great-granddaughter, Samantha Bailey.
She is survived by three daughters Sharilyn Uhl and husband Ronald of Maryland, Jane Mooers and husband Gary of West Gardiner and Roxanne Gervais and husband Dennis of Buxton; sister, Joyce Fraser of Randolph; six grandchildren Kimberly Hewett of Readfield, James Pellegrini of West Gardiner, Staci Pellegrini of Augusta, Melissa Bailey of Buxton, Marc Gervais of South Berwick and Andrew Gervais of Standish; 10 great-grandchildren; nine great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
The family would like to thank Hospice of Southern Maine for their care and compassion shown to our mother the last few weeks.
Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, March 11, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Staples Funeral Home, Gardiner. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, March 12 at 11 a.m. at Winter Street Baptist Church, Gardiner. A spring burial will be held in the Litchfield Plains Cemetery.
Arrangements are in the care of Staples Funeral Home and Cremation Care, 53 Brunswick Avenue, Gardiner, Maine. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the Staples Funeral Home website: familyfirstfuneralhomes.com
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Barbara’s name to the
Winter Street Baptist Church
32 Winter Street
Gardiner, ME 04345
Comments are not available on this story. Read more about why we allow commenting on some stories and not on others.
We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others.
We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion.
You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs.
Show less