Barbara Wildes

PORTLAND — Barbara Anna (Stinnett) Wildes, 85, died Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017 at Maine Medical Center in Portland.

Barbara was born April 12, 1932 at the Fort McKinley Hospital on Great Diamond Island.

As a 1950 graduate of Portland High School, she belonged to the Delta Kappa Phi sorority. Following her marriage to Wilbur T. Wildes Jr. on Nov. 11, 1950, she was an active mother of four children. She eventually worked as a South Portland crossing guard and later as an attendant in the University of Southern Maine cafeteria. She retired in 1994 from children’s clothing retail.

Barbara lived a joyful life, enjoying swimming, bingo, plants, gardens, flower shows, craft fairs, recreational center day trips, Red Hat Ladies outings and the aviary of birds in her backyard. Her fondest memories were her annual trips to North Conway, a vacation in the Dominican Republic and a special cruise to the Caribbean. She was always excited to plan a summer visit to Great Diamond Island in a borrowed golf cart to view the historic buildings that stood where she grew up. She especially loved to talk about the experience of spending her childhood summers in the one-room schoolhouse with teacher, Miss Boyce, while her parents worked. Barbara loved summer cookouts and celebrating the holidays, especially Christmas at home with her family — everyone was warmly welcomed into her home.

After celebrating 59 years of marriage, her husband Wilbur predeceased her on Feb. 21, 2010. She is also predeceased by her parents; brothers Richard and George; sister Carlena; and her grandson.

Barbara is survived by her children: W. Timothy III of Bridgton, Michael of South Portland, Julie of Cape Elizabeth and Peter of South Portland; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Visiting hours will be 4 to 7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 7, at Hobbs Funeral Home, 230 Cottage Road, South Portland.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Animal Refuge League, P.O. Box 336, Westbrook, ME 04092.