HAMPDEN – Barbara Lee Baxter passed away May 6, 2011, at a Bangor hospital with her family beside her. Barbara was born Jan. 4, 1929, in Highland Park, Mich., to Marion (Keesy) and Donald O. White. She was primarily raised in Columbus, Ohio, by her father and caring stepmother, Mary (Harner) White, all of whom predeceased her.
Barbara lived in Columbus, Ohio, most of her early life. After marrying Bill, they traveled wherever his military career took them thus enabling them to see our wonderful country and beyond. When her husband retired from their last duty station, Loring Air Force Base in 1972, they decided to settle in Hampden, near where Bill had relatives and where he lived as a youth in Winterport. Barbara graduated from high school and IBM Key Punch School in Columbus, Ohio. She worked at many jobs during her life in dress shops, motor freight companies and insurance companies, plus many other miscellaneous jobs. She worked for the Federal Civil Service at various bases where her husband was stationed. After settling in Maine she worked at a variety of part-time jobs, finally retiring after 10 years of service with the Department of Labor and Department of Human Services. Barbara always felt like she had a rich life, if anything seemed less than perfect, she always thought perfection, like beauty was all in the eye of the beholder. She had an unstoppable knack for just getting on with things, always finding some joy and a bit of humor in each day.
She is survived by her longtime companion and loving husband of 55 years, William E. Baxter of Hampden; her constant friend and dear daughter, Lisa A. Perkins and husband, Jeff; her adored son, William K. Baxter of Hampden; and her dearly loved first-born son, Donald L. Ellis and wife, Millie, of Waipahu, Hawaii.
She also leaves seven grandchildren, Crissa (Baxter) Fettig and husband, Bill, of Hermon,
William E. Baxter and fiancee, JoAnna Gilkey of New Hampshire, Casey G. Baxter of Orland, David G. Smedal of Hampden, Donald L. Ellis Jr., Justin R. Ellis and Suzanne M. Ellis of Atlanta; also one step-granddaughter, Candice Chun of Hawaii. Barbara is survived by three great-grandchildren, Nathaniel Fettig, Gavin Ellis Cobb and Kyra Oda. Barbara was also predeceased by her beloved brother, Gregory Charles White; and her first husband, John Ellis. To her family and friends she says, “It’s been great, so please share a smile, a pleasant thought or a laugh if something brings you a memory of me.”
As per her wishes, there will be no visiting hours. A private graveside service will be held for immediate family only at Oak Hill Cemetery, Winterport. Arrangements entrusted to Hampden-Gilpatrick Funeral Home, 45 Western Ave., Hampden.