Joyce Barker

WINSLOW — Joyce Marilyn Barker, 61, of Winslow passed away April 12, 2018, at Lahey Hospital, surrounded by her loving family and dear friend, Ann Andrews.

She was born in Bridgton on Feb. 4, 1957, to the late Almon and Norine (Sturgis) Barker. She lived and grew up in Naples, attending Lake Region High School, where she played several sports, sang in the chorus and played the baritone both in school and with the Bridgton Town Band. Her favorite teacher in high school, Eugene Whitney, sparked her interest in biology and inspired her to continue studying at the University of Maine in Orono, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Biology and English and Education. She later earned endorsements in Life, Physical and General Science and Language Arts. She taught middle school students in SADs 47 and 3 until retiring in 2012. During this time, she was a hands-on teacher, who was twice nominated for the Presidential Award for Teaching Excellence in Math and Science and, in 1990, was a semifinalist for Maine State Teacher of the Year. She also held many advisory and supervisory positions to help both students and teachers. Joyce loved all of nature and the works of the Maine Audubon Society and the Sea Turtle Rescue and Recovery.

Joyce is survived by her brother, David Barker; sisters, Linda Koloski, Rosalie Fredericks, Bette York, Janet Richardson and Debora Sylvester; 12 nieces and nephews; 14 grand-nieces and nephews; and hundreds of students whose lives she enriched.

If you would like to make a commemorative gift in honor of Joyce, she would be honored by support directed to either Maine Audubon Society or Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center, P.O. Box 2095, Surf City, NC 28445. Visit their respective websites for further information. For online guestbook see www.sullivanfuneralhome.net