1934 – 2003

RUMFORD – Barbara Gamble Shea, 68, passed away at home with her family at her side on May 12, after a long and courageous battle with ovarian cancer.

She was born in Mexico, Oct. 15, 1934, the daughter of Erwin and Tina Gamble. She was a lifelong resident of Rumford, graduating from Stephens High School in the class of 1952. She married Dick Shea of Rumford in 1955.

She first worked for Casco Bank in Rumford, then went to work for the Oxford Paper Co. She worked as a full time secretary and later as a sub for 15 years. She also worked as a teacher’s aide in the Rumford elementary school system for 22 years. She loved teaching children and they were fortunate to have her.

She was a communicant of St. Athanasius St. John Church. She enjoyed her girl friends, and their “Club,” who has gotten together for the past 40 years to play cards, share good food, trade funny stories and laugh at life.

She also loved dancing, singing, walking, decorating solving crossword puzzles, traveling with good friends and family get-togethers. She especially loved to surround her self with loving people who made her laugh and was known to bring laughter to those around her.

After retirement she volunteered in the coffee shop and the oncology department of the Rumford Community Hospital. She was an inspiration to those who knew her.

Survivors include her loving husband, Dick of Rumford; two daughters, Kathy Shea of Rumford and Cindy Shea Jergel and her husband Bob of Connecticut; a son, Tim and his wife Brenda of Brunswick; three grandsons, Patrick and Ryan Jergel and Cullen Shea; a sister, Joyce Blair and her husband George of Florida; two brothers, Joe Gamble and his wife Doris of Rumford and Tom Gamble and his wife Rae of Florida.



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