EXETER, NH – Joyce “Jo” Barker of Exeter, NH, died on March 15, 2026 of Alzheimer’s. She was a lifelong health advocate, always trying to help others.

Barker was born in Mount Vernon, Maine on Sept. 24, 1937, to Roscoe and Gladys (Williamson) Bamford. She spent several enjoyable years of her youth on the shores of Webb Lake in Weld, Maine attending school there until her family moved to East Livermore, Maine. She then enrolled and graduated as valedictorian at Livermore Falls High School class of 1955. She continued her education by completing a registered nurse degree at Central Maine General Hospital. While working and raising a family she earned Advanced degrees in nursing and public health at St. Anselm College, Boston College and the University of Hawaii.

Barker, the oldest of four children, began earning her own way early in life by babysitting, local general store work, odd jobs followed by working her way through nursing school. She was employed throughout her professional nursing career extending from 1958 to retirement in 2003. During her career she was recognized numerous times by her colleagues, students and professional organizations. She was an active member of professional nursing organizations and many roles within her church. She received the “Distinguished Graduate Award” from Central Maine Medical Center recognizing her unique achievements at its 100th anniversary year of the school of nursing. Later the New Hampshire Nurses Association presented her with the Outstanding Leadership Award in Nursing. Dr. Barker retired as the Director of the Nursing Education Program at St. Anselm College. She and her husband had homes in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Ohio, Hawaii and Washington State as their professional careers advanced.

Barker is survived by her husband of 67 years, Richard “Rick” Barker; daughter Judy and husban Leroy Christophersen of Chico, Calif., son Robert Dean Barker, of Flagstaff, Ariz.; sister Fay Barker and husband Robert of Livermore, Maine; and her two granddaughters, Jenna and Lacey Christophersen.

She was preceded by her two brothers Roy and Jim Banford.

A celebration of life memorial service will be held at a later date at the convenience of family at Riverwoods Continuing Care Retirement Community in Exeter, NH and at the grave site in Leeds, Maine.