BRUNSWICK – Barbara S. Keyes, 84, of Popham Road, Phippsburg, and formerly of Chesterfield, Mass., died Sunday, June 10, at a Brunswick hospital.

She was born in Portsmouth, N.H., on Feb. 23, 1923, a daughter of Walter E. and Mildred M. Robinson Sprague. She graduated from North Yarmouth Academy, Class of 1940, and in 1944 received a bachelor’s degree in home economics from Farmington State Normal School.

She taught home economics at Mechanic Falls High School, North Yarmouth Academy, where she was also dean of girls, Smith Vocational High School in Northampton, Mass., and in Pendleton, Ore.

During the summer months in the 1940s, she enjoyed working as a cook on the windjammer, Eva S. Cullison under Capt. Swift.

She married Richard D. Keyes on Aug. 14, 1954, at Popham Chapel in Phippsburg. She and her husband operated Keyes Flower Shop in Florence, Mass., until 1978. She then worked as a cook at Smith College in Northampton, until her retirement in 1990. She was proud to be appointed the first policewoman in Chesterfield, Mass.

She had many hobbies, but was well-known for her piano playing. She played totally by ear and had a wonderful touch on the keys. She was also an avid reader of mysteries, lover of antiques and expert rower on Atkins Bay in Popham.

She was active in many civic and social organizations in both Chesterfield and Popham, including being a member of the First Congregational Church of Chesterfield, the Chesterfield Historical Society and a Chesterfield Library trustee. On her retirement to Popham she was involved with the Popham Chapel, Popham Circle and Friends of Sequin.

She is survived by a daughter, Jane, and her husband, Peter Morse, of Waterford; a son, Robert Keyes, and his wife, Sherri, of Chesterfield, Mass.; five grandchildren; one great-grandson; and several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband Jan. 13, 1978; and two brothers, Herbert Sprague of Phippsburg and Richard Sprague of Northfield, Mass.