Obituary of Barbara Louise Hodgkins Lambert

BAR HARBOR – Barbara Louise Hodgkins Lambert died on Oct. 15, 2016, in a care facility (Woodlands) in Rockland. She was born May 20, 1930, in Bar Harbor, the third daughter of Winfield B. and Charlotte (Gabrielson) Hodgkins. After growing up in Bar Harbor, she graduated from Bar Harbor High School in 1948. In October of that year, she married Jimmie Lambert, a WWII veteran and native of Bar Harbor. With the exception of the last two and a half years, Barbara lived her entire life in Bar Harbor. For many years, Barbara worked at and then managed the Frenchman Bay Boating Co. Gift Shop, where she enjoyed chatting with customers and working with the people in her crew. After Jimmie retired from the Jackson Lab, together they owned and operated the Island View Gift Shop on the town pier in Bar Harbor. Barbara and Jimmie often willingly shared their home with nieces and nephews who were working in Bar Harbor for the summer. In 2007, Barbara was predeceased by Jimmie, her best friend and husband of 59 years. She was also predeceased by her parents and her sister, Dorothy Hodgkins (Don) Wooley of Oregon, and her nieces, Diane Cunningham Nadeau, Susan Wooley MacIntosh, and Peggy Wheaton Calderwood Collins. Peggy along with her husband, Clayt, faithfully visited and helped Barbara after Jimmie’s passing. She is survived by her sister Virginia Hodgkins Wheaton McFarland, and sisters-in-law, Claire Lambert and Sadie Cunningham. Barbara and Jimmie had no children of their own but were a special aunt and uncle team to many nieces and nephews. She is survived by nephews George “Butch” Lambert, who was also very helpful to Barbara after Jimmie’s passing, Michael “Mickey” Cunningham of Portland, Steve Wheaton of Arizona, and niece Kathy Wooley Kenyon of Oregon. Many other nieces and nephews and their families also survive. Barbara’s last years were enhanced by visits from her great nephew Matthew (Shannon) Calderwood and their children who visited her frequently at Woodlands. Barbara always lit up when she saw the children. Great-niece Christy (Jim) Calderwood Marchand and family of Michigan also survive. Barbara’s family would like to thank her dear friends and neighbors, Dick Mace and Kay Young, who checked on Barbara frequently and helped her with such things as meals and snow removal. In addition to her family, Barbara loved cats, ice cream, peanut butter, “fluffernutter” and Bar Harbor, especially during the summer tourist season. A visit to Barbara and Jimmie’s home always included laughter and good times around the kitchen table. A celebration of Barbara’s life will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 25, from 4 to 7 at St. Saviour’s Parish Hall, Mount Desert Street, Bar Harbor. Relatives and friends are invited to share conversation and refreshments during that time. Parking will be available at the St. Saviour’s Mount Desert Street parking lot.