ROCKLAND – Barbara L. Perkins, 88, died peacefully at her home in Rockland Oct. 31, 2012, after an extended illness.

Born in Rockland Aug. 13, 1924, she was the daughter of S. Eugene and Susie M. Flye Lamb. She was a 1942 honors graduate of Rockland High School. She attended Rhode Island School of Nursing and the Ballard Business School.

In 1945 she married Pete Perkins. They had three children within the next five years and then moved their young family to Connecticut. They subsequently had six more children.

Barbara worked in the health care field her entire adult life. Even when her children were still school age, she worked part-time, always making time to still have quality time with her large family. Her kids remember her doing crafts with them, teaching them about civic responsibility and giving to those less fortunate. She chaperoned their school field trips, canned fresh fruits and vegetables, and baked homemade breads and cookies. The cookie jar was always full and her kids' friends used to love to come over and play so they could have homemade goodies.

In 1969 the family moved to North Brookfield, Mass., where Barbara and her husband bought a go-kart track, which they ran until the mid-1970s.

Barbara returned to Rockland in 1976 and began work at Knox Center. She worked there until 2005, most of that time in the Alzheimer's unit.

Barbara was always involved in civic activities and organizations, from the time she was just a child. She used to talk about "having to" sell poppies in downtown Rockland for Memorial Day, in order to raise money for the American Legion. For several years she worked in various capacities with the Rockland Historical Society, worked at the Lobster Festival at the strawberry shortcake booth, and was a director of Rockland District Nursing Association. Barbara joined the Rockland Congregational Church in 1939 and has been an active member since that time (having run the rummage sale for almost 25 years).

Over a 10-year period, Barbara helped organize many bus tours, one of which took the group on a 25-day cross-country tour.

Barbara was predeceased by her husband; her youngest son, Chuck; her stepson, Preston Perkins; her sister and brother-in-law, Mary and Adriel Fales; and two granddaughters, Susan Kohls-Bartlett and Megan Beane.

She leaves eight children, Jennifer Proctor of Waterville, Glenn Perkins Sr. of Waterbury, Conn., John Perkins Sr. of Pinson, Tenn., Carleton Perkins Sr. of Quincy, Fla., David Perkins Sr. of Washington, Susan Robinson of North Grosvenordale, Conn., Cindy Beane of Washington and Robert Perkins of Shelbyville, Tenn.; a stepdaughter, Mildred Perkins of Spring Hill, Fla.; and a daughter-in-law, Carolyne Perkins of Rockland. She also leaves numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, all of whom will miss her dearly.

There will be no services.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either the Rockland District Nursing Association, P.O. Box 1713, Rockland, ME 04841 or The Megan Beane Educational Fund, c/o Cynthia Beane, 354 Old County Road, Washington, ME 04574.

To share a memory or condolence with Barbara's family, visit her online Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.

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