SEARSPORT — Barbara Myrick Blood lived a full, healthy, and joyful life until her ultimate struggle with dementia. On June 18, 2020, she died peacefully in her sleep at the age of 88. 

Barbara was loving and generous to everyone. Above all, she was a caretaker. In fact, her children remember a time in the winter, when she took a coat out of her car and gave it to a stranger in need. She left college to care for her ailing mother and to watch over her siblings. She was a traditional homemaker while her children were young.

As a talented seamstress, she sewed beautiful clothes for her daughters, Jennifer and Babette. Her talents extended to making curtains, aprons for her mother-in-law and doll clothes. There were always homemade cookies and bread in the house.

Barbara shared her love of the ocean with her children; picnics at the beach, looking for shells, swimming, and skipping rocks. They ice skated, rode bikes and made play houses from appliance boxes.

Later in life, she cared for her father as he battled cancer.

As a deacon in the Congregational Church in Searsport, she delivered roses, a card, and a friendly visit to anyone from the church who was ill or needed support.

She was a talented musician, playing piano, violin, and autoharp. She had a beautiful voice and served as a member of the Searsport Congregational Church choir for 50 years. With music and singing in the home, her children learned the verses to many hymns, gospel, and popular music.

Teaching adults to read was a source of great pride for Barbara. She came by it naturally, as her mother and both her grandmothers were teachers. She ended up marrying a teacher and all three of her children became teachers. She had a lot of patience as she helped her adult students get their driver’s license or GED. It took a special person to help give adults the confidence they needed to keep trying.

Barbara was born in Troy on November 10, 1931, and was the daughter of Lloyd and Ruth Bagley Myrick. She was an adventurous child, and loved climbing trees. She would even climb to the top of her grandfather’s barn and walk along the ridge. She attended Unity High School where she excelled in sports. It was there that she met the love of her life, Clayton Blood.

After attending Farmington State Teacher’s College, Barbara and Clayton were married on January 30, 1952. They were blessed with three children: Jennifer, Babette, and Clayton Jr. With their spouses; Pat Garrett, Derwin White, and Kim Moores, they created their own families, bringing even more joy.

Barbara and Clayton loved being grandparents to Jennifer and Pat’s girls: Michaela and Brianna; Babette and Derwin’s boys: Matthew and Benjamin; and Clayton Jr. and Kim’s children: Jenna and Cameron. Their family continued to expand as Matt married Avery, Ben married Brittany, and Jenna married Todd. Their joy grew as they became great grandparents to Matt and Avery’s boys, Carter and Camden; and to Jenna and Todd’s children: Tripp and Iris.

Barbara and Clayton both profess to have married the love of their lives. They were blessed to have celebrated their 68th anniversary. Partners in everything, Clayton became her caretaker, so that she could remain at home until the end of her life.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Brooks Congregational Church. 

A graveside ceremony will be announced and will be held at the Morrill Cemetery. The family hopes to be able to schedule a Celebration of life, when it becomes safe to hold a large gathering.  

Condolences may be shared with the family at www.longfuneralhomecamden.com.

Arrangements are with the Long Funeral Home, 9 Mountain St., Camden.