Barbara Lorraine Kelley

Cape Elizabeth, ME - WINDHAM – Barbara Lorraine Kelley, 72, passed away February 7, 2024. She was born in Cumberland County, Maine February 4, 1952 to Agnes Marie Sawyer and Frederick E Kelley both of Windham, Maine. Her dad was a well-loved woodworking teacher in the Windham school system as well as spending time working at LC Andrews, Maine Cedar Log Homes, where Barbara also worked briefly. He built and sold countless whirligigs by the side of the road and was an avid gardener. He would knit sweaters for his grandchildren, as Barbara would fondly recall memories about this to her children. Her mother Agnes was a kind and loving person who would spend an abundance of time feeding the wildlife in their backyard. Barbara would bring her children to visit her parents often, where they would also learn how to feed the various types of birds, and enjoy multiple hoodsie cups, popsicles, homemade donuts and whoopie pies. Their favorite treat was a red hotdog occasionally while visiting Grammy and Grampy Kelley. Barbara is survived by her husband Bill Barton and four children, Travis Keef (Kate) Auburn, Amanda, Jennifer, Emily Keef Poland. Summers with her kids were spent at a family cabin in Eustis and a beautiful house in Surry, Maine. Her love for the ocean and lakes is a love she passed onto her children. She had 9 grandchildren, Ezra, Tulsi, Tiger, Nola, Eamonn, Aneira, Oliver, Sadie and Gwendolyn who loved their Nana very much. Barbara enjoyed taking her grandchildren to places such as the library, beach, animal wildlife park and getting to know them each individually as well as she could. In her younger years Barbara was involved in many community activities, volunteering as a girl scout leader, teaching poetry at her children's school, as well as teaching preschool in Standish, Maine. Barbara embarked on a missionary journey to Nepal, where she brought medical supplies to communities in need. She fell in love with the country scenery, inspiring her children's future love for traveling. Barbara obtained her undergraduate degree in English from the University of Maine and moved on to achieve her graduate degree in library science to pursue her love of writing. She worked at Saint Joseph’s College of Maine as a reference librarian and The Windham Public Library for more than two decades developing various programs and leading book groups. She shared her love and knowledge of books with her children, whom she made sure all read various levels and types. Barbara had a love for birds, herbs, eclectic music, poetry, walking by the ocean and Maine Summers. She enjoyed baking delicious lasagna, Danish puff, dill breads and chocolate chip cookies. Barbara lived life with an abundance of love a great sense of humor and sarcasm. Everyone who knew Barbara described her as kind, gentle and always willing to help find answers to any question. She will be greatly missed by all. There will be a celebration of life for Barbara with a date and location to be announced. Please reach out to Jen with questions at japiercee@gmail.com

Barbara Lorraine Kelley

February 4, 1952 - February 7, 2024

Explore Tributes &
Upcoming Services