CUSHING — Barbara T. Penney, also known to many as "Meme," passed away unexpectedly July 26, 2015, at Maine Medical Center in Portland, due to complications following heart surgery. She was born Feb. 27, 1941, in Quincy, Mass., to William Richard and Addie May Wingate Thissell. Quincy is where she would spend her childhood and graduate high school.

After graduating high school, Barbara attended Boston University before marrying and moving to East Greenwich, R.I., where she made lifelong friends and had her children. In 1972 she and her family relocated to Maine to live near family. Once settled in she found herself a job at National Sea Products in Rockland. Starting as a receptionist, Barbara quickly rose through the ranks as payroll clerk, production planner and production manager until being promoted to plant manager. In 1986 she transferred to Portsmouth, N.H., to head a new plant acquisition as plant manager. In 1988 she was awarded the National Sea Products Employee of the Year award for her accomplishments there and was promoted to vice president of manufacturing, U.S. operations.

Although a successful business woman, to her the most fulfilling and meaningful part of her job was always the relationships she shared with her coworkers, always mindful and caring about each person as an important part of the team. Through her career she formed special and lasting friendships and credited many for all the success she enjoyed. In 1995, Barbara retired back to her home in Cushing, where she would begin the most enjoyable phase of her life, that of being near and enjoying family and friends, showering them all with kindness and love.

Better known as Meme to so many, Barbara was the love and tradition in her family. She put her heart and soul into all that she did. Whether making her signature chocolate gift tags, baking brownie cake or knitting her next creation, she did it well and did it with love. Gardening was a daily way of life and taking photos of the beautiful flowers she grew made for another hobby - greeting cards - lots of them! There was nothing in life Meme loved more than her family, friends and poodles. She had an infectious smile and a way of warming your heart that will never be forgotten. Having touched so many lives, her legacy will continue through generations to come. Wearing her heart on her sleeve and being loved so deeply by all those lucky enough to know her, her passion and commitment to family, friends and tradition was like no other. Always putting others first, she was the most beautiful soul and had a precious twinkle in her eye to match. Her grandchildren brought her the most joy, so proud of them all, she lived for showering them with treats and love. Meme will be greatly missed, she was truly one a kind.

Barbara was predeceased by her beloved parents William and Addie May.

She is survived by her husband of 32 years, Russell A Penney Jr. of Cushing; and her precious dogs, Patty and Piper; her son, Robert McClean and wife, Deborah; and her daughter, Alyson Jones and her husband, Timothy, all of Cushing; her stepsons, Roderick Penney and his wife, Rachel, of South Thomaston, and Ryan Penney and his wife, Deborah, of Yarmouth; her brother, Richard Thissell and his wife, Sigrun, of Friendship; her grandchildren, Jennifer Benner and her husband, Michael, Sarah Hiller and her husband, Shawn, Corey Jones and his wife, Sami Jo, Dylan McClean and Tommy Jones all of Cushing, Russell Jones and his wife, Yuki, of Portland, Ashton McClean and his wife, Sarah, Jillian Monroe and her husband, Michael, all of Warren, and Sarah Star Penney and Bennett Penney, both of South Thomaston; 13 great-grandchildren, Casey, Zach, Nick, Hannah, Madison, Grace, Ailee, Landyn, Coda, Ella, Parker, Ryder and Lukas; her nephew, Shawn Thissell and his wife, Melissa, and their son, Jackson, of South Thomaston; and her niece, Tanya Cook and her husband, Daryl, and their sons, Shane and Devin of Scarborough.

A memorial service will be held Friday, Aug. 7 at 1 p.m. at Burpee, Carpenter and Hutchins, 110 Limerock St. in Rockland. A private burial will be held at a later date at Pleasant View Cemetery on Davis Point in Cushing.

"Goddie Love Her," may she rest in peace. xo

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to either Cushing Rescue Squad, c/o Sandra Blanchard, P.O. Box 20, Cushing, ME 04563 or Make-A-Wish Foundation, 477 Congress St, Suite M1, Portland, ME 04101.