BANGOR, BREWER and ROCKLAND – Barbara (Orff) Utterback-Emery, 90, died peacefully Sept. 21, 2009, at home, with her family by her side. She was born May 3, 1919, in Rockland, the only child of Ardrey E. and Gladys (Marshall) Orff. She graduated from the University of Maine, Orono, in 1941 with a Bachelor of Science degree in home economics. In 1943 she married J. Dudley Utterback of Bangor. She made a warm, loving home for her husband and children and was always active in their lives. She was predeceased by Dudley in 1992. In 1996 Barbara married Lawrence W. Emery of Brewer. They enjoyed their life together until Larry’s death in 2000. In 2001 Barbara moved to the Ellen M. Leach Home, Brewer, where she lived until 2005. It was at that time that she moved to her son’s home in Bangor, receiving loving care from Gregg and Debbie right up to the time of her death. Barbara was active in many area organizations. One of her most cherished activities was as a Girl Scout leader, leading her troop all the way from Brownies through high school. She was a member of P.E.O., Chi Omega Sorority, Junior League, Patawa Club and Shakespeare Club. She was a 62-year member of All Souls Church, where she served in many capacities. In 2005 she was presented the Mandatum Dignitatis, an honor bestowed to members whose contribution to the life of the church has been exemplary. Barbara was active in the lives of her grandchildren – she cherished all of them and was thrilled to become a great-grandmother. Her “final goal” was to have a 90th birthday party, which was attended by friends and family, including granddaughter, Michelle, who made a surprise trip from Florida. This summer, she was able to spend time at Green Lake with her entire family. Her last trip to camp came on Labor Day weekend, when she enjoyed a beautiful afternoon by sitting on the porch overlooking the lake. Surviving are her daughter, Carol A. and her husband, Jerome Guerrin, of Derry, N.H.; her son, J. Gregg Utterback II and his wife, Deborah, of Bangor; grandchildren, Michelle L. (Guerrin) Navarra of Miami and James G. Guerrin of Gerrardstown, W.Va., who is soon to be redeployed to Iraq, Alicia L. (Utterback) and her husband, Gregory Hodges, of League City, Texas, David G. and Rebecca A. Utterback of Bangor; great-grandchildren, Cara and Alexander Hodges of League City, Texas; her AFS daughter, Irene (Richter) Chapman of Belgium; special cousins, nieces and nephews; and the extended Emery family. Barbara leaves behind many dear friends, especially Dot Jellison of Bangor. A funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 28, at All Souls Congregational Church, 10 Broadway, Bangor, with a reception immediately afterward in the church vestry. Interment will be private. Donations may be made in Barbara’s memory to Eastern Maine Charities – Dialysis Care of Maine, 489 State St., Bangor ME 04401; All Souls UCC General Fund, 10 Broadway, Bangor, ME 04401; or Chapter A P.E.O. Scholarship Fund, Linda Weinmann, 29 Forest Knoll Drive, Orrington, ME 04474. A service of Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor.
BARBARA UTTERBACK-EMERY
