Barbara Blanchard Washburn

SCARBOROUGH – Barbara Blanchard Washburn, 89, passed away peacefully on Jan. 11, 2023, at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House, Scarborough, after complications from a fall. She was surrounded by her loving family. Barbara lived independently in her home in South Portland for many decades.

She was born in Newburyport, Mass. and graduated from Deering High School in 1952. She attended Melrose School of Nursing and became a labor and delivery nurse at the Maine Medical Center during the ’60s and ’70s. While at Melrose, she earned the highest honor in her class – the Florence Nightingale medal for proficiency in nursing and scholastic standing.

She was married to Arthur J. Washburn, and together they raised three children in the North Deering area. While being a stay-at-home mother, Barbara went back to college at the University of Maine earning her master’s degree in Adult Education.

Barbara was a lifelong devotee of researching the family genealogy and studying primate behavior. She was active in the Maine Historical Society, and in 1992 received the distinguished Elizabeth King award for her unselfish dedication and service. For many years, she was a devoted group leader and facilitator for the Portland Women’s Literary Union until its disbanding in 2016.

She enjoyed hiking the White Mountains, geology, skiing, playing the saxophone, collecting antiques, attending lectures and theater productions, organizing numerous trips with her grandchildren, reading books and poetry. Barbara was fondly known to cut out and mail articles of interest to her children and grandchildren, a practice she continued until her death.

An effervescent lifelong learner, Barbara had an insatiable zest for life and will be fondly remembered for her sense of humor, laughter, honesty, ethics, compassion and care for others. She loved her afternoon hot cocoa beverage and sea salt chocolate donuts from the Holy Donut in Scarborough.

Barbara is survived by her children Nancy Washburn of Shrewsbury, Mass., Janet Washburn of Bonita Springs, Fla., Peter Washburn of Lemont, Ill.; grandchildren Thomas Washburn (predeceased), Taylor and Kaelen Caggiula, Shannon Washburn; and cousins, niece and nephews.

Barbara will be laid to rest on Monday, May 8, at 10 a.m., at Belleville Cemetery, 26 Storey Ave., Newburyport, Mass. Friends are welcome to attend the graveside service. Services provided by Hobbs Funeral Home of South Portland.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to the International Essential Tremor Foundation, or the Center for Great Apes in Central Florida.