Barbara Ester Brown Wilson

Surrounded by the family she loved so deeply, Barbara Ester Brown Wilson, 85, of Kittery, Maine, passed peacefully on January 3, 2026. Barbara was born on January 5, 1940, in Quaker Neck on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, to Carl and Regina Goss Brown. She spent her early years in Quaker Neck and Chestertown, Maryland, before relocating to Maine, where she started a family.

Growing up, Barbara discovered a love of sewing, crafting her own clothing, and becoming an exceptional seamstress. Her creativity and skill were showcased through her business, Flanagan’s Fancy, where she designed beautiful tapestry bags. An entrepreneur at heart, Barbara later co-founded Women Gone Crazy, a gift and antique shop in Maryland, with her sister Annie. She continued to share her style and passion for many years through her booth at Hidden Treasures Antique Shop.

Barbara was an energetic and enthusiastic spirit dedicated to her ideals. She was never afraid to be herself, often wearing bright red turtlenecks, an American flag pin, and flip-flops regardless of the season. She valued her independence and the strength she found in freedom—long road trips, convertibles with the top down.

She carried herself like a queen and lived with a rebel heart. We wish her love and blessings on her new journey, just as she wished for so many.

Barbara was predeceased by her parents, Carl and Regina Brown, and her sisters, Regina Gabriel Brown and Annie Brown Coleman. She is survived by her brother, Dr. Carl Brown (Anna) of Huntington, Maryland; her daughters, Deborah Austin (Michael) and Michelle Wilson of York, Maine; and her cherished grandchildren, Wyatt Austin, Marina Houde (Devin), Camden Welch, and Iain Welch. A celebration of life will be held in the spring in York, Maine