Sonya Barclay's struggle sparked community effort for family
By Jessica Bloch BDN Staff
BANGOR DAILY NEWS FILE PHOTO
Sonya Barclay (right) and her daughter, Madyson (left) share a tender moment on Thursday in the kitchen of their Old Town home. Barclay died Wednesday.
OLD TOWN, Maine - Sonya Barclay, the Old Town mother of four whose struggle with cancer sparked a community-wide movement to build her family a new house, died early Wednesday.
Barclay’s longtime friend Jennifer Dudley of Winterport, who was one of three women who spear-headed the effort for the new home on Bennoch Road, said Barclay, 35, died sometime before 5 a.m.
She had been in Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor since Saturday.
Details about funeral arrangements were not available Wednesday afternoon.
Barclay was diagnosed in 2004 with breast cancer which eventually metastized and spread throughout her body.
The story of the Barclay family, including Sonya, husband Jeff, 10-year-old daughter Logan Leonard, son Derek Barclay, 8, and daughters Madyson, 5, and Mackenzie, 4, grabbed local attention in May.
Individuals in Old Town and beyond wound up contributing thousands of dollars in construction materials and thousands of hours in volunteer time to build the new house.
The family was living in a trailer that Sonya and Jeff Barclay believed was making their children sick because of mold. The trailer frame was also starting to buckle. The building was also small for the two adults, four children and a large family dog.
Sonya told local media her wish was to see her family in a new home by the time she died.
Donations of time, money and materials began to flow in, and thanks to the coordination efforts of Sonya Barclay’s friends Dudley, Lana Phillips and Brandi Folsom, her wish was granted in late May. In about a three-week span, the old trailer was razed and the new home was ready. The family saw it for the first time on Tuesday, May 27.
The story was aired on the CBS Evening News Friday, June 6.
On 8/27/08 at 3:23 PM,
bewest wrote:
Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden
God bless Mrs. Barclay and her dear family she leaves behind.
On 8/27/08 at 4:19 PM,
mainemom wrote:
Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden
May she rest in peace.
On 8/27/08 at 4:35 PM,
hraymond wrote:
Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden
This is a heart wrenching story. We had one here in our parish about a year ago and I was so heartened by the response from our community. I am originally from Old Town Maine and I am so happy to hear of the wonderful support that the Old Town area residents gave to the Barclay family. We are indeed one big family. God bless you. The Barclay family and all Old Town residents are in my prayers.
On 8/27/08 at 4:49 PM,
Estelle wrote:
Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden
The Barclay children are going to need help in adjusting to this loss. God be with them and their Dad.
On 8/27/08 at 5:17 PM,
gregdebeck wrote:
Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden
From what I have read about her Mrs. Barclay was an incredibly brave and selfless woman who loved her family very much. Her memory will be an inspiration to us all. May she rest in peace.
On 8/27/08 at 6:57 PM,
Johninphilippines wrote:
Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden
Only the best of whatever the future holds for the remaining members of the Barclay family. May Sonia Barclay forever rest in peace.
On 8/27/08 at 7:11 PM,
rubysal wrote:
Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden
My heart and prayers go out to the Barclay Family. May God Bless them All.
On 8/27/08 at 7:46 PM,
bjh578 wrote:
Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden
My thoughts and prayers are with Sonya's family
On 8/27/08 at 7:58 PM,
dalemarijean wrote:
Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden
Our thoughts and prayer's go out to the Barclay family.
On 8/27/08 at 8:55 PM,
luv2beoutdoor wrote:
Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden
My thoughts and prayers are with the entire Barclay family. This time will be hard, but know that now she is finally without pain and in a beautiful place...Heaven.
On 8/27/08 at 9:21 PM,
Lisarose wrote:
Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden
I am so sorry to read about Mrs. Barclay passing..i am so glad she got her wish to see her family in a new place ..god bless u all..
On 8/27/08 at 11:46 PM,
dalemarijean wrote:
Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden
I feel truly blessed to have met Sonya Barclay. She was a caring and compassionate woman who possessed such amazing strength. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Barclay family during this difficult time. Sonya will forever be missed and the few memories that I have with her are ones that I will always cherish.
Sincerely,
Trysha Jean
Post a comment about this story
You must be logged in to post a comment.
click here to log in.
