Barbara Gwillim died on Sunday, November 18th while being transported from Chebeague. She died where she most loved to be. Where ever she lived, Chebeague was always her home in her heart. She was 95 on October 7th and was thrilled that she had "made it". We cannot express enough the love and appreciation we have for Island Commons and their staff. They hold all their residents in such esteem and respect and provide for them a most loving home. They provided the atmosphere that mom loved, always something going on and more to do The way the community is involved with the residents of the Commons was very special to her and she was always reporting to me what was going on.
Barbara S. Gwillim, 95
YARMOUTH - Barbara S. Gwillim, 95, of
Chebeague Island died Sunday November 18, 2007. She was born on
Oct.7, 1912 in Sharon, Mass., the daughter of Ursula (Kingman)
and Herman O. Stevens. She was a graduate of Cushing Academy and
at the age of 71 of Westbrook College.
Barbara belonged to the Chebeague Island Golf Club, Ladies Aide Society and the Chebeague Island Methodist Church. Although Barbara did not live on The Island year round for many years, and no matter where she went, Chebeague was always her home.
Barbara was an avid reader and actively followed politics and world events. She was very involved in Adlai Stevenson's presidential campaign. She did for others, most notably as a volunteer with the Literacy Group in Portland teaching English as a second language. Barbara was an accomplished seamstress with a talent for design and intricate detail. She helped in making costumes for theater productions. She belonged to The Bag Ladies while in upstate N.Y. making sleeping bags for the homeless. She even made her own American flag that, with the help of her congressman, was flown over the US Capitol. Even as a 95 year old resident of the Island Commons her talent was still in use.
Barbara is survived by her daughter Sue Kablack and her husband William of Hamilton, NY; her sons, Grant Wilson, Jr. of Chicopee, Mass.; David Wilson and his wife Sandra of Saratoga, Calif.; 12 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husbands: Grant H. Wilson and Edward P. Gwillim; her brother Howard Stevens and her sisters, Ruth Buratti and Priscilla Horrocks.
The family would like to extend their deepest appreciation and gratitude to the staff of Island Commons for their dedicated care of Barbara and to the people of Chebeague who were an important part of her life.
A memorial service will be held on Chebeague Island next summer. Arrangements are under the care of Lindquist Funeral Home, One Mayberry Lane, Yarmouth,
For those who wish, donations may be made
in Barbara's memory to: Island Commons
132 Littlefield Road
Chebeague Island, ME 04017
