1909 – 2003

FARMINGTON – Winola B. Starbird, 93, a former resident of the Pierce House, Farmington, died early Sunday morning Aug. 31, at Franklin Memorial Hospital.

She was born Sept. 5, 1909, in North Anson, a daughter of Lowell E. and Althea (Fenlason) Bailey. She was a graduate of Anson Academy in North Anson in 1926 and received a B.S. Degree in Home Economics from Farmington Normal School in 1933.

Following her graduation from high school, she worked for a time at a Baptist Home for retired people at Attleboro Springs in North Attleboro, Mass. and later at the Brick Oven Inn in Wrentham, Mass. and the Herb Farm Tea Room in Chester, N.J., as an assistant hostess. During her summers while in high school, she worked as a waitress at the Hotel Everett and the Montreal House in Old Orchard Beach. Later, she worked at the Oak Grove Hotel in West Boothbay and at the Tea Room and Gift Shop on Squirrel Island, Maine.

She apprenticed as a dietician at Franklin Memorial Hospital on Upper Main Street and was employed in the payroll office of the Wilton Woolen Mill and later at the Hathaway Shirt Factory in Waterville. At the time of her marriage to Myron Starbird in June of 1946, she worked as a proof teller and transit clerk at Depositor’s Trust Co. in Waterville.

In September of 1946 they moved to Farmington and she served as secretary to the dean of home economics at UMF, a position she held during her four years of study.

She was a former member of the Roderick Crosby American Legion Auxiliary and was also a former member and treasurer of the Franklin County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. At the time of her death, she was a life-member of the Farmington Chapter #143 OES where she had served in several stations. She was also a 50-year member of the Red Schoolhouse Homemakers Extension Group having served as secretary and treasurer for over 20 years and was also the historian. She was a member of the Fairbanks Union Church and a life member of the Farmington Historical Society. She enjoyed playing bridge, reading and working on crossword puzzles and will be remembered for her delightful wit.

She is survived by a son, Ethan Starbird and his wife Patricia and a step-grandson, Micah Durgin all of Farmington; one sister, Nina B. Kent and her husband, Charles of Benton; a sister-in-law, Ida V. Bailey of North Fairfield; several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by an infant daughter Cindy in 1950; her husband, Myron in 1989; two brothers, Kenneth Bailey in 1987 and Earland Baily in 1998; two sisters, Marjorie B. Libby in 1993 and Lillian B. Stevens in 1995.

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