Obituary for Barbara Louise Colson
OWLS HEAD - Barbara L. Colson, 93, passed away surrounded by her family Friday, October 14, 2022 after a period of declining health. Barbara was born in Rockland on September 13, 1929, the daughter of Perley and Alida Merrified. She was educated in the Rockport schools.
Barbara grew up on a farm, learning the meaning of hard labor at an early age. Her father treated her the same as her brothers, expecting her to achieve the same amount of work to earn an equal wage. During the later years of high school and after marrying, Barbara worked at the Sardine Factory. She became a homemaker and housekeeper when her first child was born. Hard work was not anything to be afraid of in Barbara’s mind as she and her husband built the house they raised their three children in, beginning with the first two rooms, hand digging the basement, and building up as the family grew. For a period following retirement, she and her husband also worked as caretakers, before enjoying the full leisure of retirement.
Barbara loved bus tours and took many with her husband, Clifford, during their retirement years. She collected many spoons and plates to show the places she visited and those of her loved ones. When not traveling, she kept busy working on genealogy with her granddaughter, Michelle, reading an amass of books, completing puzzles, knitting, and skillfully creating crafts of all sorts. Her children and grandchildren never worried about Christmas tree ornaments, household decorations, afghans, or even a dishcloth. She happily taught her skills to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, leaving a lasting memory for each of us. During her later years she developed a special bond with a few animals including Checkers, Micah, and Beatrice, a.k.a Annie. Barbara’s strong will, determination, humor, and banter will forever leave a lasting imprint on all those who knew and loved her.
Barbara L. Colson is predeceased by her husband of 67 years, Clifford O. Colson, Sr.; and is survived by three children and their spouses, Clifford Colson, Jr. and his wife Nancy, Bruce Colson and his wife Sylvia, Karen Everett and her husband Peter, all of Owls Head, and ten grandchildren, Clifford Colson III, Michelle Webber Christopher Colson, Michael Colson, Tracy Achorn, Danielle McNichol, Joshua Everett, Jennifer Colson; step-grandchildren, Carl and John Morse; and great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, as well as nieces and nephews.
Family and friends are invited to visit from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, October 27, 2022 at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland; where a celebration of her life will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, October 28, 2022. The Reverend Wayne Sawyer will officiate. Interment will follow immediately at West Rockport Cemetery.
Barbara grew up on a farm, learning the meaning of hard labor at an early age. Her father treated her the same as her brothers, expecting her to achieve the same amount of work to earn an equal wage. During the later years of high school and after marrying, Barbara worked at the Sardine Factory. She became a homemaker and housekeeper when her first child was born. Hard work was not anything to be afraid of in Barbara’s mind as she and her husband built the house they raised their three children in, beginning with the first two rooms, hand digging the basement, and building up as the family grew. For a period following retirement, she and her husband also worked as caretakers, before enjoying the full leisure of retirement.
Barbara loved bus tours and took many with her husband, Clifford, during their retirement years. She collected many spoons and plates to show the places she visited and those of her loved ones. When not traveling, she kept busy working on genealogy with her granddaughter, Michelle, reading an amass of books, completing puzzles, knitting, and skillfully creating crafts of all sorts. Her children and grandchildren never worried about Christmas tree ornaments, household decorations, afghans, or even a dishcloth. She happily taught her skills to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, leaving a lasting memory for each of us. During her later years she developed a special bond with a few animals including Checkers, Micah, and Beatrice, a.k.a Annie. Barbara’s strong will, determination, humor, and banter will forever leave a lasting imprint on all those who knew and loved her.
Barbara L. Colson is predeceased by her husband of 67 years, Clifford O. Colson, Sr.; and is survived by three children and their spouses, Clifford Colson, Jr. and his wife Nancy, Bruce Colson and his wife Sylvia, Karen Everett and her husband Peter, all of Owls Head, and ten grandchildren, Clifford Colson III, Michelle Webber Christopher Colson, Michael Colson, Tracy Achorn, Danielle McNichol, Joshua Everett, Jennifer Colson; step-grandchildren, Carl and John Morse; and great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, as well as nieces and nephews.
Family and friends are invited to visit from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, October 27, 2022 at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland; where a celebration of her life will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, October 28, 2022. The Reverend Wayne Sawyer will officiate. Interment will follow immediately at West Rockport Cemetery.