GAINESVILLE, Ga. – Barbara Irene Watts, 93 years old, formerly of Oakland, Maine, died Oct. 9, 2023 at Manor Lake Assisted Living in Gainesville, Ga. She was born in Oakland on July 30, 1930.

Barbara attended Oakland area schools. At Williams High School, Barbara met future lifelong partner, Gordon, and both shared a love for playing varsity basketball. In her senior year, Barbara co-captained the women’s team.

In 1950, Barbara and Gordon married and moved to Willimantic, Conn., where their son Gordon, Jr. was born. After returning to Maine in 1952, Barbara and Gordon built their first home in Waterville on Shores Road. Their fondness of the outdoors, namely fishing, hunting, boating and snowmobiling, led them to purchase several acres and they built a camp on McGrath Pond, Kelleher Trail, Oakland, in the ‘60’s. By the early 1980’s, they expanded the camp to a four season home.

In her early years, Barbara was employed by area fabric mills, including Bates Manufacturing cotton mill in Augusta. She was later employed by First National Supermarket in Waterville.

Barbara was a member and President of Waterville Exchange Club. She and Gordon enjoyed winters with the Fairfield area Snowmobile Club. They joined Central Maine Square Dancers and loved dancing regionally and with Canadian clubs. In later years, volunteering at the elementary school reading to kindergarteners brought Barbara great joy.

Barbara remained active and engaged in many hobbies throughout her life. She was a lifelong expert knitter, creating and giving away to family and friends cherished sweaters, hats, scarves, mittens and throws. She took up quilting in her golden years and loved tending to her gardens. Barbara especially enjoyed bird watching from her home’s shore-facing back deck. She walked four to five miles most days well into her eighties. In summers, she kayaked and would solo paddle around the lakeshore from her dock, around Pleasant Point, to the opposite shore each July birthday.

Barbara enjoyed local family, looking forward to holiday reunions, bringing her infamous peanut butter fudge to family, neighbors and friends. She savored annual summer visits from her three grandsons. In later years, she visited them regularly, enjoying warmer temperatures in the Georgia outdoors. In 1998, Barbara was widowed and continued to enjoy her lakefront home for over twenty years. She worked diligently at maintaining her property and camp road. In 2019, Barbara moved to north Georgia to be closer to her son and family.

Barbara was predeceased by her husband Gordon, Sr.; parents, Clifford and Mary (Whitman) Taylor; and brother Gilbert (Sonny) Taylor and wife Mary Taylor.

Surviving family includes son, Gordon, Jr. and wife Natalie of Gainesville, Ga.; grandsons Wesley Watts of Nevada City Calif., Alec Watts of Oakland, Calif. and Drew Watts of Brooklyn, NY. She is also survived by her sister Leatrice and husband Louis Collar of Southington, Conn.; as well as several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The family wishes to thank Barbara’s helpful close friends, invaluable neighbors and caring, supportive Maine family through the years. Their fierce dedication and love will be forever appreciated.

A memorial gathering will be held in 2024.

In lieu of flowers,

memorial donations may be made to the:

Alzheimer’s Association or

the charity of one’s choice

Copy the Story Link