BURLINGTON, Mass. — Joyce Marilyn Barker, of Winslow, passed away Thursday, April 12, at Lahey Hospital, surrounded by her loving family and dear friend, Ann Andrews.
She was born in Bridgton, Feb. 4, 1957, to the late Almon and Norine (Sturgis) Barker. She lived and grew up in Naples, attending Lake Region High School, where she played several sports, sang in the chorus and played the baritone, both in school and with the Bridgton town band.
Her favorite teacher in high school, Eugene Whitney, sparked her interest in biology and inspired her to continue studying at the University of Maine at Orono, where she earned her B.S. in biology and English and education. She later earned endorsements in life, physical and general science and language arts.
She taught middle school students in MSADs 47 and 3 until retiring in 2012. During this time, she was a hands-on teacher who was twice nominated for the Presidential Award for Teaching Excellence in Math and Science and, in 1990, was a semi-finalist for Maine State Teacher of the Year. She also held many advisory and supervisory positions to help both students and teachers. Joyce loved all of nature and the works of the Maine Audubon Society and the Sea Turtle Rescue and Recovery.
Joyce is survived by her brother, David (Donna Pitts) Barker; sisters, Linda (Michael) Koloski, Rosalie Fredericks, Bette (Steve) York, Janet (Peter) Richardson and Debora Sylvester; dear friend, Ann Andrews; 12 nieces and nephews; 14 grand-nieces and -nephews; and hundreds of students, whose lives she enriched.
If you would like to make a commemorative gift in honor of Joyce, she would be honored by support directed to either Maine Audubon Society or Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center, P.O. Box 2095, Surf City, NC 28445. Visit their respective web sites for further information.
For the online guest book see www.sullivanfuneralhome.net.
Joyce Marilyn Barker
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