Obituary of Barbara Luce Sanborn

Born April 18, 1915, in Belfast, Me, daughter of Frank Luce and Ola Heal Luce, Barbara attended Belfast schools and Colby College in Waterville, Me. Barbara’s only sibling, Robert P. Luce, was fatally wounded while on a bombing mission over France during World War II and is buried at the American military cemetery in Cambridge, England. Barbara worked for the New England Telephone Company In Belfast for fourteen years where she met Milton “Bunk” Clements of Searsport. The couple married and lived in the downstairs apartment of their friends, Charles and Grace Brown Knox, on Steamboat Avenue. Their daughter, Charlene Knox Farris, Searsport Town Historian, became a life long friend of Barbara. She would comment frequently about how much she enjoyed holding Charlene as a baby. Later, the Clements moved into one of the first homes built on Knox Brothers Avenue. Barbara and her husband lived happily together going dancing on Saturday night at the Blue Goose in Northport. They were longtime members of the First Congregational Church of Searsport. Barbie enjoyed her home, playing the piano, and knitting mittens for the neighborhood children. Bunk died in 1982. Barbara later attended a class reunion at Crosby High School in Belfast and became reacquainted with fellow alumni Maurice L. Sanborn, of Waterville, whose wife Simone had passed away in 1989. The couple would later marry with Barbara moving to Waterville. In one of life's interesting twists of fate, Bunk and Barbara had owned a painting by a well known relative of Maurice, Percy Sanborn, which had been donated to the Belfast Museum a few years before marrying Maurice. Barbara quickly became a part of her Ocala, Florida step-son-in-law, Lee’s and his wife Marion’s hearts. Barbara was easy to love, full of kindness and respect for everyone. Upon meeting Charlene Knox Farris, Lee and Marion learned about the loving family Barbara had come from and that it had always been her way to pass that example along to others. After Maurice passed away in 1997, Barbara fell and required knee surgery. At the suggestion of her Searsport friend, Nellie Howard, Barbara returned to Belfast and became a resident at Harbor Hill for a number of years, reestablishing herself with old friends in the area. Unfortunately, she never again would be able to walk and became a permanent resident, later moving to the Commons at Tall Pines where she was to spend the remainder of her life. Theresa Clark, a regular volunteer at Tall Pines brightened her days with weekly visits during which the two would sing hymns. Always positive and cheerful and with a beautiful smile for all, Barbara was a pleasure and an inspiration to all those around her. Wherever she went, she hung the crocheted “ Serenity Prayer” that she had made. A prayer she exemplified. Now she feels God's immeasurable love. Lee and Marion along with their children Scot, his wife Dana and their newborn daughter Everest, and daughter Heather and husband Robert Ramirez and their son Scottie will miss the love Barbara gave to them. Scot and his family live in Summerfield, NC while Heather and her family reside in Ocala, Florida. Barbara Luce Clements Sanborn passed away in February 16, 2016, just a few months shy of her 101st birthday. Her final wishes were to have a brief graveside service which will take place on Friday, May 27, 2016 at Grove Cemetery in Belfast, Maine at 2 PM. Pastor Debra Arnold of the First Congregational Church of Searsport, where Milton and Barbara were members, will officiate, in fulfillment of her final wish. Arrangements are under the care of Riposta Funeral Home, 182 Waldo Avenue, Belfast. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.ripostafh.com.