ROCKLAND — Barbara A. Ellis, 95, died peacefully, Saturday, April 6, 2024, at Breakwater Commons, following a long and fulfilling life.

Born in Rockland, March 18, 1929, she was the daughter of Willis and Alice Engleson Lufkin. Educated locally, she was a 1947 graduate of Rockland High School.

On April 8, 1949, Barbara married Raymond L. ‘Raymie’ Ellis in Rockland where they made their first home. Later they moved to Oliver Street, a wonderful family neighborhood, where they raised their family, tended the gardens and ate strawberries every summer. Barbara instilled her love of nature and creativity in her four children. She and Raymie passed on a love of hiking, camping, special picnic meals, and scenic road trips that led to a strong life-long connection with God’s creation as the master designer.

Barbara’s intrinsic artistic outlook shaped everyday life in the family. Routine pancakes became Mickey Mouse or whatever the request was. Making mere snowmen turned into beautiful life-sized ponies. Feeding the birds meant waiting for them to eat out of your hand.

After her beloved husband passed away in June of 1996, Barbara kept an apartment in Rockland for many years, feeding the birds and welcoming friends.

Barbara was first employed as an assistant librarian at the Rockland Public Library. Her love of reading not only inspired children in “reading circles” at the library, it also inspired Raymie to get to know the beautiful librarian. After raising her four children through their early years, she returned to the work force as a housekeeper at the Knox General Hospital, retiring as Head Housekeeper in the 1970’s.

Together with her husband, Barbara enjoyed traveling, especially trips to Norway, Sweden and Switzerland. She was very committed to her long-time friends and looked forward to weekly lunches and card games with her classmates. She always put others above herself. She and her husband were the first recipients of the Courier Gazette Community Service Award, for their more than 15 years of volunteer work, starting as two of the first drivers for Meals-on-Wheels. They went beyond delivering the meals to the many shut-ins on their route, 75 miles a day, five days a week, by bringing them home-grown flowers, homemade desserts and fresh strawberries.

She had a strong faith and was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Rockland.

She will be sadly missed by all who loved her.

Predeceased by her husband, Barbara is survived by her children, Robert Ellis and his wife Tina of Cushing, Patty Lewis and her husband Peter of Mt. Vernon, Becki Kemmer and her husband Larry of Rotonda West, Florida, Kerri Lee Ellis of Waterville; eight grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

Barbara’s family will remember her life privately as she is laid to rest beside her husband at the North Parish Cemetery, Wiley’s Corner, St. George.

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland.

To share a memory or condolence with the Ellis family, please visit their Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.