Barbara Stanley Neal

Barbara Stanley
Neal, 82
GORHAM -- Barbara Stanley Neal, 82, of Gorham, died peacefully and surrounded by loved ones on April 14, 2011, after a brief illness.
She was born in Bar Harbor on April 11, 1929, the daughter of the late George and Dorothy Stanley. She graduated from Bar Harbor High School in 1947 and from Gorham State Teachers College in 1951. She also attended Northeastern Business College in Portland. While in Gorham, she met Paul Millard Neal. They married on Aug. 6, 1949.
Barbara spent most of her career as the Principle's Secretary at the Charles C. Shaw Junior High School in Gorham, retiring after 27 years. For the past 15 years she volunteered with the Gorham Times newspaper.
Barbara was a member and past President of both the Annie Louise Cary Club of Gorham, and the Gorham State Teachers College Alumni Association. She was a member of the Mayflower Society, Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Gorham Fire Department Auxiliary. As a young mother, she also served as a Den Mother for Cub Scout Pack 73.
She was a long time member of the First Parish Congregational Church in Gorham, where she and her husband sang in the choir for over 40 years.
Barbara had many passions and her devotion and love for her family always came first. Other things that brought her joy were her love of music, gardening and nature. She marveled at the song birds and other creatures that would visit her world. She cherished her many friendships. It has been said that the value of a lifetime can be measured by the friendships madeÉand if so, Barbara has enjoyed enormous wealth.
Barbara's family wishes to extend a very special thank you to the dedicated staff and care-givers at The Cedars.
Barbara is survived by her husband of 62 years, Paul; three sons, Stuart Mason (wife Kim) of Mechanicsville, Va., Stephen Charles (wife Diane) of Scarborough, and Clifford James (wife Kathleen) of Stormstown, Pa.; four granddaughters, Nerissa Rouzer (husband Garret) and Miesha Vargas (husband Cesar) of Virginia, Sarah Bordi (husband Peter III) of Pennsylvania, and Caitlyn Neal of California; step grandchildren, Brandy and James Butler; and a step great- granddaughter, Lauryn, all of Virginia; her sister Marion, who resides in Bar Harbor; brother-in-law, Phillip (wife Lottie) of Florida; and several nieces and nephews.
A celebration of Barbara's life will be held at the First Parish Congregational Church, in Gorham, on Saturday, June 4, at 10:30 a.m., with a luncheon reception to follow. Further details will be made available on Barbara's CaringBridge. org website http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/barbaraneal1, and through other local publications, or visit www.dolbyfuneralchapels.com for more details as the date approaches. Arrangements are by the Dolby and Dorr Funeral Chapel, 76 State St., Gorham.
In lieu of flowers, memorial
donations may be made to:
Gorham First Parish Church Choir
Attn.: Bill Jenks
1 Church St.
Gorham, Maine 04038
Barbara Stanley Neal