Babs was born in Santa Barbara, CA on January 22, 1915, the daughter of Barbara Stevens Mann of Santa Barbara and Matthew Darbyshire Mann, Jr. of Buffalo, NY, and lived in Roselle, NJ most of her childhood. Babs graduated from Simmons College in 1937 with a BS degree in Home Economics. After college, she worked in the Montgomery Ward clothing size specification and standardization department in NYC for three years and later worked as office manager in the family businesses in both Tennessee and Denmark, ME.
Babs married J. Louis Bauer of Princeton, NJ, April 22, 1938. Babs actively supported Lou’s career, including subsequent moves to Mountainside, NJ, Zanesville, OH, York and New Castle, PA, and Mountain City, TN, where she always quickly found ways to participate in the life of the new towns.
The Bauers finally found their home in Maine in 1967, when they took over the Moir Co. in Denmark. Lou and Babs were very active residents of Denmark, particularly in the life of the Denmark Congregational Church, the Lions Club and the Bridgton Hospital Guild Coffee Shop, among others. Babs’ forte was her hospitality in welcoming the many guests, family and friends, to her home on Moose Pond in Denmark. Babs was Past Regent and Registrar of the Molly Ockett Chapter of the DAR and a member of Chapter D of the PEO philanthropic and educational organization. Babs also enjoyed sewing and knitting, birding, gardening and, while in Maine, archeology. With Lou, she participated in several Elder Hostels around the country and enjoyed travels in Mexico and Canada, as well as Europe while visiting their Danish grandchildren. Her home was always the focal point for her wide-spread family.
Babs lost her beloved Lou in December 2007 and was predeceased by her brother William S. Mann of Yarmouth.
She is survived by her son, Doug Bauer of Denmark, ME; two daughters, Bonnie Yelverton of Fontana, CA and Lu Grayce of Brunswick; her brother, James Mann of Mashpee, MA; four grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and many loving nieces and nephews.
A memorial tea was held at Sunnybrook Village, Brunswick, on January 30. A family memorial service will be held in July at the Denmark Congregational Church. In lieu of flowers, Babs requested that donations be given to the Denmark Congregational Church, Denmark, ME.
obits@timesrecord.com
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