Barbara Gastia

Milford – Barbara (Abbott) Gastia, 78, passed away July 25, 2019, after a third bout with cancer. She was born August 1, 1940, the youngest of three girls, to Clarence and Jennie (Richardson) Abbott.
Barbara attended Lewis S. Libby grammar school and graduated from Higgins Classical Institute in 1958. While there, she was a cheerleader, a member of the Scroll yearbook staff, and the National Honor Society. After graduating, she followed in her dad’s footsteps and went to work at the “PCF” paper mill in Old Town, starting as a switchboard operator, then moving on to payroll and accounts payable. At the mill, she met the love of her life, Robert D. Gastia, whom she married in 1967. Together, they enjoyed many trips and vacations to Addison, making many special friends, including Popeye and Francina Denny and their family. They also loved spending time exploring Downeast Maine. Barbara and Robert raised one child whom they called their own, Kevin Gastia, who, with his wife, Crystal (Dionne) Gastia, gave them their most treasured gift of three beautiful grandchildren, whom they loved and adored so much.
Barbara had a great sense of humor, which she said was, “sometimes a bit warped, but fun nonetheless.” There was never a dull moment with Barb in the room.
In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Robert, in July of 2013.
Barbara leaves behind her son, Kevin and his wife, Crystal; her three beloved grandchildren, Brandon and his girlfriend, Hailey Smith, Daniel and his fiancée, Kennedy Gilmore, and McKayla (Grampy's “pretty one;”) and her beloved “grand fur baby,” Harley; she also leaves behind her sister, Jeannine; and her two sons, Gordon and his two daughters, Shannon and Cathleen, and Richard “Rick” Betts; nephews, John and Terry Coulter; a cousin, Sally Abbot Strout; her brother-in-law, Tim Lynch and his sons, Scott and Mark; niece, Brenda Arnall and her husband, Bob and their sons, Joseph and Andrew; nephew, Robert Gastia and his wife, Lynn; nephew, Ron Gastia and his wife, Sherri and their family; nephew, Eric and his children, Jada and Owen; sister-in-law, Betty Gastia and her family; a special sister-in-law and “partner in crime,” Doris Haley, with whom she loved and stayed in constant contact; “the very best neighbors,” Gene and Cicil Moores, whom she said she never would have made it without; a dear friend, Jan Emerson and her family; and many other family and friends who are too many to list but whom she loved dearly.
The family will be forever grateful for her entire Hospice Team, but most notably, Amy D’Amboise, whom she said, “to know Amy is to love her,” and Kristy Farnsworth, who remained with Barbara through her journey.
A graveside service will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 3, 2019 at the Milford Cemetery, Milford. Those wishing to remember Barbara in a special way may make gifts in her name to Northern Light Homecare and Hospice, 50 Fodin Rd. Suit #1, South Portland, ME 04106