Barbara Ellen Baeslack

CARMEL - Barbara Ellen (Scott) Baeslack, 91, passed away July 9, 2019 after a brief illness. Barbara was born March 24, 1928, in Bangor, the daughter of Harold F. Scott and Doris (Eastman) Scott. Barbara grew up in Bangor and Brewer and graduated from Bethany College in West Virginia with a B.A. in social work in 1951. Shortly afterwards, she married William Baeslack and they raised three children in Brewer before amicably divorcing. Barbara was an enthusiastic participant in her children’s activities including Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, and especially, the Penobscot Pony Club and Puckerbrush Farm in Newburgh with her daughter, Betsey, where she became a committed volunteer, motivating and mentoring young riders for many years. She was active in the community, serving on the Brewer Board of Education, and later on the Carmel Zoning Board of Appeals and the Budget Review Committee. She was active with All Souls Congregational Church in Bangor where she taught Sunday School, and then with the Carmel Union Congregational Church after she moved to Carmel in 1990. Barbara was an accomplished seamstress, sewing many of her daughters’ clothes, and became an accomplished rug hooker, creating beautifully-crafted rugs. She enjoyed gardening and when working in the yard became a challenge, she turned her energies toward creating beautiful container gardens for her deck each summer. She enjoyed traveling with friends and family, especially the Southwest, the British Isles, and many wonderful vacations with her children and spouses. Barbara is survived by her son, Brent, and wife, Susan of Bradford, MA; daughter, Kathy Jo Wooster and domestic partner, Mark White of Griffin, GA; daughter, Betsey Townsend and husband, Ray of Aurora, MO; granddaughters, Cassandra Parsons of Fontana, CA, Becca Parsons of Aurora, MO, Hannah Kailer of Wheaton, IL; and her dear friend, Nancy Yasko of Lunenburg, MA. Many dogs and cats found a home with Barbara over the years; she is also survived by her devoted dog, Sara, and loving cat, Sugar. The family is grateful for the compassionate care provided by Ross Manor and Beacon Hospice. A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, August 17, 2019 with visitation at 10:00am followed by a service at 11:00am at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor, with Reverend Garnett Chute officiating. A reception will follow at the Family Reception Center of Brookings-Smith. Interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery. Those wishing to remember Barbara in a special way may make gifts in her memory to the Bangor Humane Society, 693 Mt. Hope Ave., Bangor, ME 04401; Simpson Memorial Library, 8 Plymouth Rd., Carmel ME 04419; or Maine Coast Heritage Trust, 1 Bowdoin Mill Island, Suite 201, Topsham, ME 04086.