SCARBOROUGH – Barbara A. Carey passed away on Thursday, Aug. 25, 2023, at the age of 91. Late in life, Barbara suffered from dementia and other health issues.

Barbara was born March 20, 1932, in Eagle Lake to the late Romeo A. and Rolande J. Brown. After her birth, they moved to Augusta, where Barbara always said she had a very happy childhood and would often remark she had wonderful parents.

She attended Saint Mary’s parochial school and was valedictorian of her 8th grade class. She graduated from Cony High School in 1950. She went onto college at the University of Maine at Orono. She graduated with distinction in 1954, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. She was president of the Honorary Society, All Maine Women, at Orono and president of Pi Beta Phi Sorority.

She married Alan W. Philbrick, her first husband, in August of 1954. They both accepted their first teaching position in Fort Fairfield, in September of 1954. Barbara sometimes would recall that when living in Fort Fairfield, she and her husband would drive to Augusta for holidays and the snow banks were so high and deep they could only see the road right in front of them. “It was like driving through a tunnel.” In June of that year, they moved to El Paso, Texas, where their first daughter was born. Within the next four years, they had two more daughters. Sadly, they were divorced in 1976.

Barbara loved teaching and throughout her career she taught kindergarten through 6th grade. In the fall of 1977, she took a year’s sabbatical from elementary teaching in Rumford. She began her master’s degree in reading, at the University of Southern Maine at Gorham. She graduated with honors and received A’s in every course. With her new degree, she became Chapter I Reading Coordinator and Language Arts Department Head for grades K-12. During this time, she was a member of the National Teachers Association and the International Reading Association. She became president of the Maine Reading Association. She was elected to the Presidents Club of the International Reading Association and a recipient of the International Reading Association Service Award. The International Reading Association asked her to be an Ambassador of Reading. She was invited to Russia and China. An invitation she declined but was pleased to have been asked.

After Chapter 1 funding expired, she returned to classroom teaching in grades 5th and 6th which she enjoyed. It was a good transition for her remaining years of teaching. Barbara had a good sense of humor and often came home from a day’s teaching with entertaining stories. She retired in 1992 after 26 years.

Barbara remarried in December 1979, to Edward J. Carey, of Rumford. A marriage that lasted 31 years until his death in February of 2011. They were best friends and provided each other with love, affection, companionship, and humor. They moved to Scarborough to enjoy their retirement near the coast.

Barbara had a vibrant, driven, and outgoing personality. But more than anything else, she deeply loved all her family and friends. Wanda Orino and Ann Fraser of Rumford were meaningful and beloved friendships that lasted 60 years. As a Catholic, she had a deep and lifelong belief in God that sustained her through trials and challenges. Her life was an example to all who knew her.

She was predeceased by her husband, Edward J. Carey; sister, Jacqueline E. Merrill; nephew, Stephen C. Merrill; and her beloved daughter, Stephanie M. Dario.

She is survived by her brother, Terrence D. Brown of Newton, Mass.; her daughters Valerie Philbrick of Old Orchard Beach and Marie A. Philbrick of Portland; her niece, Julie A. and Timothy Robbins of Scarborough, nephews Gregory F. Merrill and his partner Kathleen M. Roche of Harpswell, Richard J. Merrill of Santa Barbara, Calif.; granddaughter, Dove S. and Jonathan Sharp of Shelburne, Vt.

Visiting hours will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 5 at the Conroy-Tully Walker South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. Prayers will be recited at the chapel at 11:15 a.m. followed by a 12 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Maximilian Kolbe Church, 150 Black Point Rd., Scarborough. Burial at Calvary Cemetery, South Portland. A reception will follow the burial at St. Maximilian Koble church hall.

In lieu of flowers, Mass cards will be appreciated.

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