AUBURN – Bernadette M. Obrin Washburn, formerly of Pejepscot, died Friday, March 28, at the Hospice House of Androscoggin, Auburn, after a courageous and lingering fight against cancer.

She was born in Brunswick, Dec. 12, 1951, a daughter of Steve Obrin Sr. and Blanche Bosse Obrin. Bernie, as she was known to her family and friends, was a special person to all who knew her.

While small in stature, she was a compassionate, loving and caring person, always willing to help someone in need and place their needs before hers.

She enjoyed taking short trips to Greenville to visit her sister-in-law and her brother, Joe and his wife, Susan. She also enjoyed traveling to North Carolina to visit with her close friends Bert and Linda Bilodeau, where she would walk the beach and pick up sea shells to share with her grandchildren back home. She had fond memories of her close friend, Vanessa Moore, whenever they got together to share special moments. She carried with her especially fond memories of her Caribbean cruise with her mother and the annual family reunions which took place every summer and holidays.

She attended Brunswick High School and worked as a trusted employee at several retail businesses. She enjoyed knitting and spending lots of time baby-sitting her grandchildren, who loved their Grammy very much. She married William J. Washburn Sr. in Brunswick, Dec. 23, 1977.

She is survived by her husband, William J. Washburn Sr.; a son, Patrick W. Richards and his wife, Jenny, of Midlothian, Texas; a son, Chad J. Richards and wife, Angela, of Lewiston; a son, William Washburn Jr. and wife, Karen, of Lisbon; a daughter, Michelle Washburn and her friend, John Blanchette, of Lewiston; a brother, Steve Obrin of Topsham; a brother, Joseph R. Obrin of Greenville; a sister, Cynthia MacFarland and her husband, Dave, of Hampton, N.H.; a sister, Suzanne Multer and her husband, Harvey, of Hollis; and seven grandchildren.

She was predeceased by a brother, Michael F. Obrin.