Obituary

Barbara O. Carleton, obituary

Mon, 07/27/2015 - 4:45pm

ROCKPORT — Barbara Carleton died July 18, 2015, at Quarry Hill in Camden. Born in Thomaston on Aug. 17, 1917, she was the daughter of Charles Forrest Oliver of Thomaston and Mildred Getchell Thurlow of Stonington.

Barbara grew up in Camden and graduated with the Camden High School Class of 1935. In 1940, she graduated from Wellesley College in Wellesley, Mass., where she majored in English. After teaching high school English, she married Granville Carleton of Rockport. They settled in Beverly Farms, Mass., where they raised their two children and had their careers. Continuing her career in education, Barbara taught for many years at Brookwood School in Manchester-by-the-Sea, Mass. She also wrote and published numerous children's stories and books. Her prolific writing career spanned a period of 40 years. Throughout their adult lives, Barbara and Granville consistently returned to Rockport in the summers, and in 2007, they returned to Rockport as year-round residents.

Barbara's charm, wit and warm personality will be remembered by all who knew her. She was unfailingly gracious and welcoming to the stream of friends and relatives who visited her.

Barbara was predeceased by her husband of 66 years, Granville Carleton in 2008; her son, David in 1991; and her sister, Ethel Oliver in 1999. Surviving are her daughter, Courtney MacLachlan and husband, Tom, of Amesbury, Mass.; her daughter-in-law, Patricia Carleton of Camden and Phoenix, Ariz.; her grandchildren, Julia Carleton of Camden, Sara Morgan (Ben) of London, Cate MacLachlan (Jake) of Burlington, Vt., and Alex MacLachlan (Maya) of Northampton, Mass.; as well as five great-grandchildren, Cyrus and Rosie Perkinson, Owen and Rhys MacLachlan and Huw Moran; a niece, two nephews and two cousins.

The family wishes to extend its heartfelt gratitude to her patient and loyal caregiver, Joan Grindell, and to the caring staffs of Quarry Hill and the Camden Area District Nursing Association.

Memorial donations may be made to the Camden Area District Nursing Association, P.O. Box 547, Camden, ME 04843.

A family memorial service will be held at a later date.

Arrangements are with Long Funeral Home & Cremation Service.