Barbara Holyoke Adams

On October 9, 2019, a perfect crisp autumn day, Barbara Holyoke Adams died gently and peacefully in Oregon City, Oregon, with the afternoon sun streaming through her bedroom window. Her daughters Judi Paisley and Bonnie Kittredge were by her side. Her sons-in-law, John Paisley and George Matoes were in the kitchen, preparing supper and keeping Judi and Bonnie’s tea cups filled. Barbara’s grandchildren Bonnie Paisley Scott of Portland, OR, Kegan Paisley of Boulder, CO, and Kira Paisley of Albuquerque, N.M. had spent the previous weekend at Barbara’s bedside, loving their grandmother, reminiscing, taking walks with each other while updating their own families back home. What a gift! It was a peaceful, both sad and joyful, sacred time for all of us. Barbara’s real HOME was always Brewer, Maine; though she also lived with her daughters in Oregon after Babe died in 2005. She was always interested in learning more about the long history of the Holyoke family in the City of Brewer. Barbara was born in Brewer, Maine, on November 3, 1923 to J. Harris and Elsie Morrill Holyoke. She was predeceased by her high school sweetheart and loving husband Forrest W. “Babe” Adams who referred to Barbara as “my bride”, and by two brothers Donald during WWll and Vaughn Holyoke in 2018, and nephew Johnny Rose Knowles. Barbara is survived by a large and loving family… daughters Bonnie Kittredge and Judi Paisley, sons-in-law George Matoes and John Paisley; grandchildren Bonnie Paisley Scott and husband Greg Scott, Kegan Paisley and wife Suzanna, Kira Paisley and husband Gurdeep Singh; great grandchildren Alison Scott of Portland, OR, Thatcher and Hadley Paisley of Boulder, CO. Barbara is also survived by her sister Cynthia “Tinnie” Knowles, nephews and nieces, Galen and Joy, Von and Laurie, Harley and Cindy, and Holly Knowles; and her brother and sister-in-law Pete and Marilyn Holyoke, nephews and nieces, Donnie and Bonnie, Mark and Jaime, Robin Holyoke, Kelly Holyoke Fitzpatrick and Greg. her sister-in-law Marjorie Holyoke, nephews and nieces Glenn and Terry, John and Karen Holyoke and Lori Holyoke Urquhart and Carl Urquhart. Barbara was a very beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, great-aunt, great-great-aunt. She adored each and every child in the family, and cared deeply about many other children, in her church family, and the neighborhood. You all know who you are and how special your relationship with Aunt Barbie was. She loved you so very much! When Barbara and Babe married, the North Brewer Eddington United Methodist Church became Barbara’s church home and her extended church family. She served as Sunday School teacher and superintendent. She served as communion steward for 40 years. She made million-dollar pies for church suppers and was a member of the Schoppe Circle of the United Methodist Women.
Barbara, her sister Tinnie, and their dear friend Sandy Leach made delightful beautifully crafted items all year long for the annual Church Craft Fair… soft sculpture dolls, braided wreaths, snowmen, Christmas garlands, hundreds of pairs of honeycomb mittens for children and adults, soft sculpture cats with straw hats, and cute little mice in every imaginable form. They were always looking for a new idea to make for the Fair. Barbara was a lady who loved a tea party. For her last ten summers in Maine, she happily hosted a weekly family tea party with the help of nieces Kelly and Laurie. There was always chocolate in some form on her tea table. Barbara and Judy Adams introduced Ladies Teas at NBEUMC. For a woman who was always happy to be in Brewer, or at camp on Moulton Pond in Dedham, Barbara surely enjoyed seeing other beautiful places in the world. She said, “Well... you go where your children and grandchildren are", so she and Babe went… to Michigan, Tennessee, Colorado, to Oregon and Alaska, to Disney World and Arizona and the Grand Canyon, to Rhode Island, to Oahu and Maui.
Then Barbara and Babe were off to England and Scotland with Mabel and Lin Lufkin, Molly and Patrick Stevens, Bob and Judy Adams for a jolly time. When her daughters learned that Barbara had always dreamed of seeing the tulips in Holland, Judi got tickets for Barbara and granddaughter Kira. Judy Adams- who would go a long way for a good cup of tea- went along. Bonnie Kittredge was the inexperienced tour guide to Holland and Ireland.
Barbara was an energetic traveler and a very good sport! To share more memories and condolences, please go to: info@BrookingsSmith.com Barbara’s daughters Bonnie and Judi will truly appreciate any memories you wish to share. Together we can create an even fuller picture of the Barbie we all loved. A Memorial service will be held at the Brewer Chapel of Brookings Smith on Sunday October 27, 2019 at 1:30 pm at 55 South Main Street, Brewer, Maine and will be officiated by the Reverend Dr. Tracy Reeves. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in honor of Barbara Adams to the North Brewer Eddington United Methodist Church (NBEUMC), 31 Main Road, Eddington, ME 04428. P.S. Barbara would like you to remind you all that the annual NBEUMC Craft Fair happens on the first Saturday of November.