Barbara Vesta Leadbeater Lincoln, 90, of Newcastle passed away at her home on Oct. 31. She was born on Aug. 6, 1921 in Jefferson, the daughter of Charles H. Leadbeater and Margaret E. McCurda. She graduated from Cony High School in 1938 and the University of Maine at Orono in 1943 with a BA in Zoology. On June 1, 1946, she married Edward J. Lincoln, Jr. at the Trask Meeting House in South Jefferson. They lived almost all of their 64 years together at their Newcastle residence.
After taking lab courses in Worcester, Mass., Barbara worked through 1948 as a medical technologist at hospitals in Farmington and Lewiston and at Thayer Hospital in Waterville. Pursuing a second career, she earned a teaching certificate in 1961, and then taught at Bristol Junior and Senior High Schools and at Franklin Grammar School from 1961 through her retirement in 1983.
Church activities and Grange were an important part of Barbara’s life. She joined the United Baptist Church in South Jefferson in 1933, then the Bunker Hill Baptist Church in Jefferson in 1949, serving proudly as clerk for 37 years, from 1962 through 1999. Barbara belonged to the Bunker Hill Ladies Aid, joining in 1949 and remaining active in the organization. She was also a member of the First Baptist Church of Damariscotta, serving as a Deacon for six years. A 75-year member of subordinate Grange, Barbara joined Jefferson Grange in 1935, Bunker Hill Grange in 1948, and Willow Grange in 2010. She was also a member of the Maine State Grange and National Grange, and served as the Maine State Junior Deputy for Lincoln County from 1962 to 1969. For many years, she and husband Eddie enjoyed working together on busy installation and degree teams. Barbara was the Master of Bunker Hill Grange from 1960 to 1962.
Barbara was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Lake View Chapter, and the Pine Tree Rebekah Lodge. She served as president of the Newcastle PTA for a year, joined the Miles Memorial Hospital League in 1986, and volunteered at the Miles Memorial Hospital switchboard for several years.
Barbara was very proud of her children and grandchildren, who gave her great joy. She loved working with young people, reading and writing poetry, and was a wonderful cook. She spent many hours in the kitchen creating goodies for family and community members.
Barbara was predeceased by her husband, Eddie.
She is survived by son, Edward J. Lincoln III of Litchfield; daughter, Brenda Lake and husband Howard of Readfield; grandsons, Dan Lake and fiancée Marcy Rolerson of Boston, and Josh Lake and companion Annie Query of Boston; brother-in-law, Austin Lincoln of Edgecomb; sister-in-law, Nancy Anne Baldwin of Somerville, Mass.; several cousins; and many nieces and nephews.
Time of visitation 4-6 p.m., Fri., Nov. 4 at the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta. Memorial service 11a.m., Sat., Nov. 5 at the Bunker Hill Baptist Church, Bunker Hill Rd., Jefferson. Memorial donations may be made to the Bunker Hill Baptist Church, in care of Mark Johnston, 244 Kerns Hill Rd., Manchester, ME 04351.
Condolences, and messages for the family, may be expressed by visiting www.StrongHancock.com.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.
