Barbara Katherine Buck Grover, 76, of Clearwater, Fla., died Oct. 12, after a long courageous battle with cancer. She died at home with her husband, Robert Grover, by her side. Hospice of Florida was a tremendous help to her throughout this struggle.
Barbara was born on July 27, 1932 at St. Andrews Hospital in Boothbay Harbor. She was the daughter of Clifford and Katherine Thompson Buck of Southport. She graduated from Boothbay Harbor High School, class of 1950 and earned a B.S. degree from the University of Maine at Orono, class of 1954. Barbara was head dietician at Newton Public Schools in Newton, N.J. and also at St. Andrews Hospital in Boothbay Harbor.
She married Robert Grover, Nov. 26, 1955, and joined the family business, Grover’s Hardware, where she worked until her retirement in 2004. She was active in many local organizations, including the Little Theatre Group, The Choralares, the Performers Arts Council and the P.T.A.
Barbara was very active in state and local politics and was the first female chairperson of the Boothbay Harbor Republican Town Committee and the Lincoln County Republican Committee. She was also a member of the Republican State Committee, the Lincoln County Women’s Republican Club and The Maine Federation of Republican Women. She was the Chairman of the Election Campaign in Lincoln County for Senator William Cohen, Governor Jock McKernan and Representative Charlie Heino.
Barbara was a charter member of the Boothbay Region Alumni Community Band, B.R.H.S. Alumni, the University of Maine Alumni, and past president of the St. Petersburg-Clearwater University of Maine Alumni Association. She also volunteered at the St. Vincent de Paul Soup Kitchen in Clearwater, Fla. and was a life member of the Ladies Auxiliary V.F.W. of Safety Harbor, Fla.
Barbara is predeceased by her brother William Buck of Southport and sister-in-law, Pauline Buck of Yarmouth.
Barbara is survived by her husband of 52 years, Bob Grover of Clearwater Fla.; children, Dr. Katherine Grover of Kennebunk, and Merritt Grover and wife Tricia of Boothbay Harbor; grandchildren, Justin DeRepentigny and Tanner and Alyson Grover; brothers, Robert Buck and wife Jan, and John Buck; and nieces, Sarah Yasin and Heather Buck.
Celebration of her life 2 p.m., Sun., Oct. 26 at the Simmons, Harrington & Hall Funeral Home, 975 Wiscasset Rd., Boothbay.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity of your choice or to the American Cancer Society, NE Division, 1 Main St., Suite 300, Topsham, ME 04086.
Arrangements are entrusted to Simmons, Harrington & Hall Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Boothbay.