ORONO – Dr. Barbara Alice (Young) Pullen, 91, formerly of Veazie and Augusta, went to be with the Lord, March 18, 2012, at Orono Commons Nursing Home, Orono. She was born April 23, 1920, in Calais, daughter of Arthur I. Young and Anna (Coe) Young.
She was a graduate of Calais Academy and the University of Maine, class of 1941. Barbara later went on to do advanced math and science studies at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Mass. Later she did advanced study at Boston University, Boston. In 1960 Dr. Pullen earned her Master of Education degree from the University of Maine, Orono. Later she participated in the Study of the British Primary Schools, London and Oxfordshire, England. Dr. Pullen earned her Doctor of Education degree, majoring in administration, from Heed University, Hollywood, Fla. During the early 1940s she worked in the Department of Structural Engineering and Design for the Boston & Maine Railroad. Dr. Pullen also worked as a mathematician in the Actuarial Department at John Hancock Insurance Co., Boston. She later worked as child welfare worker for Maine Department of Human Services, Augusta. Dr. Pullen has an extensive background in elementary and secondary education. She taught grades fourth through sixth in the Gardiner school system and served as an educational psychologist for grades kindergarten through third in the Monmouth school system and as a guidance counselor for grades seven through 12th in the Waterville school system. Barbara is a former assistant to the president of the University of Maine, Augusta, and a former adjunct professor at St. Francis College, Biddeford. She taught at college undergraduate and graduate levels. In 1970 she co-founded and became president of American Institute for Creative Education, an in-service teacher training institute. For the next 30 years she developed hundreds of seminars, workshops and graduate credit courses held throughout New England and Mid-Atlantic states, as well as England, Australia, New Zealand, St. Thomas and the Grand Cayman Islands, serving several thousands of teachers, indirectly benefiting tens of thousands of children. Dr. Pullen was a member of “Who’s who of Women Executives.” She was a former member of the Governor’s Advisory Board of Education and a former member of the Governor’s Advisory Board of Mental Health. Barbara was also past president of American Association of University Women, Augusta Branch. She was recently a member of Order of the Eastern Star. Barbara was a very outgoing individual with a warm and uniquely pleasing personality and had a great sense of humor. She was adored by all who knew her and will be greatly missed. Her son, also co-founder of American Institute for Creative Education, once commented that throughout the 30 year period of operating the business, many educators had come up to him and commented about what a special person Barbara was. He would always reply with a smile, “Thank you, I’ve been told that before, and I agree.”
Barbara was predeceased by her second husband, George E. Pullen of Augusta, in 1993. She is survived by her business partner and son, Charles A. Peirce III of Bangor; her adoring daughter, Catherine A. Hopper and her husband, Edward C. Hopper; and her special grandson, Christopher C. Hopper, all of Orono; as well as many friends and colleagues. Barbara’s family thanks the staff at Orono Commons Nursing Home for the special care given to her during the past one and a half years.
A memorial service will be held 1 p.m. Friday, March 23, at All Souls Congregational Church, 10 Broadway, Bangor, with the Rev. Dr. James L. Haddix, pastor and teacher, officiating. Those who wish to remember Dr. Pullen in a special way may make gifts in her memory to a charity of choice. A service of Brookings-Smith, Bangor. Condolences to the family may be expressed at
www.BrookingsSmith.com.