CORINTH – Barbara Laurine (Hersey) Dunham, 81, passed away Aug. 7, 2006, at Dirigo Pines, Orono, after a lengthy illness. She was born June 17, 1925, in Dover-Foxcroft, the daughter of Lawrence and Annie (Racine) Hersey. She lived most of her adult life on Morison Avenue, Corinth. When Barbara was four, her mother passed away, thus leaving her and three siblings to be brought up by their grandparents, John and Edith Racine. She attended schools in Dover-Foxcroft and graduated from Foxcroft Academy in 1943. She married Merl “Sam” Dunham in 1948 and assisted him in creating a successful well-drilling business. Three children were born to them, Richard, James and Judy. Barbara was a devoted, caring mother and homemaker, and dedicated her life to the well being of her husband, children and grandchildren. She ran the household with great pride and always provided loving support for her family. Barbara and Merl spent many enjoyable weekends at their camp on Sebec Lake and entertained lots of family and friends. They were wonderful hosts and welcomed everyone. They especially loved the Dunham family reunions held every 4th of July at the camp and every Thanksgiving in Corinth. Barbara was a life member of the Order of the Eastern Star and a member of the Rebekah’s. She also enjoyed traveling, dancing, cooking, planning parties and shopping. She is survived by two sons, Richard and his wife, Deborah, of Corinth and James and his wife, Cindy, of Lincolnville; one daughter, Judy Townsend and her husband, Fred, of Hudson; four grandchildren, Trisha Higgins and her husband, Rob, of Charleston, Tyler and Silas Dunham, of Lincolnville and Ricky Townsend and his wife, Veronica, of Hudson; two stepgrandchildren, Wesley Stinson II of Charleston and Tanya Stinson of Corinth; many great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews; a sister, Juanita Cushing and her husband, John, of Dover-Foxcroft; and an aunt, Doris McLennan of Braintree, Mass. Barbara was predeceased by four brothers, John, Edward, Ronald and Arland Hersey. Friends may call 7-9 p.m. Tuesday at the Thompson Funeral Home, 17 Hudson Rd., Corinth. A service in celebration of her life will be held 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 9, with the Rev. Ronald E. Libby officiating. Burial will be in the Corinthian Cemetery, Corinth. Donations in her memory can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Maine Chapter, 163 Lancaster St., Suite 160-B, Portland, ME 04101-2406. The family invites relatives and friends to join them for a time of refreshments and fellowship at the Corinth United Methodist Church Annex after the service.
BARBARA L. (HERSEY) DUNHAM
