Rockport – Barbara E. Bilodeau of 29 Knox St., Thomaston, died Wednesday, March 19, at Penobscot Bay Medical Center in Rockport. She was 86 years old.

She was born on May 22, 1921, in Rumford. She was the daughter of Edward and Mary Denholm, who had emigrated from Scotland. Barbara received her education in Rumford schools and enjoyed playing sports, particularly basketball. She graduated from Stephens High School in 1939.

Upon graduation from high school, Barbara worked in the shipping office of the Oxford Paper Co. as a billing clerk.

She developed life-long friendships with many of ‘the girls’ at the office and enjoyed travel in the U.S. and Canada with her friends. It was also while working at the Oxford Paper Co. that Barbara met the love of her life, Robert A. Bilodeau. They married on Feb. 28, 1953.

After marriage, Barbara and Robert moved to Auburn where they resided for 52 years. Barbara was a homemaker and raised three children.

She was active in community and church events including volunteer work for the Auburn Little League baseball team, school events and volunteer work at St. Mary’s Hospital in Lewiston.

As members of the United Methodist Church in Auburn, Barbara and Robert frequently helped out with preparing and serving church suppers.

She was an excellent cook and always enjoyed making baked goods to welcome new families to the neighborhood and to celebrate birthdays and holidays.

Most of all, Barbara enjoyed spending time with her family.

Barbara moved to Thomaston in 2006, after her husband passed away. She touched the lives of many folks she met in her new community and continued volunteer work by knitting countless mittens for school children and caps for people with cancer as well as members of the armed services.

She was always eager to help out. Most importantly, she was a good listener and always compassionate and able to provide comfort and guidance to her family and friends.

Surviving Barbara are her daughter Polly Ward and husband, Neil, of Thomaston; her son David E. Bilodeau and wife, Linda, of West Poland, her son James R. Bilodeau and partner, Lee Marquis, of Freeport; stepdaughter, Marie Paul McDonald of Colorado Springs, Colo.; stepson, Robert P. Bilodeau and wife, Doris, of Winthrop; and her brother James T. Denholm of South Paris. In addition, Barbara is survived by three grandchildren; 14 stepgrandchildren; 10 stepgreat-grandchildren; and two nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband Robert; and her brother William Denholm.