A Point of Light at a Time of Need
Barbara F. (Elwell) Blastow
Thomaston and Bangor -Barbara –Barbara Frances (Elwell) Blastow, 82, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family, September 21, 2011 while at a Bangor healthcare facility. She was born in Spruce Head, March 23, 1929 the daughter of Clifford R. and Katherine (Snow) Elwell.
Barbara lived in Thomaston for many years before moving to Bangor to live with her daughter and favorite son-in-law. Born during the Depression she was proud to have earned her G.E.D., and later worked for many years as a bookkeeper for Grant's Dairy in Rockland. In the early part of her life she was active in many organizations. She and her late husband, Hollis, were always very social people who loved to dance and spend their summers at Sandy Shores in Warren and wintered in Florida. One group she was a member of for almost 50 years was M.E.T. in the Rockland area and in more recent years was a Red Hatter and enjoyed the Red Hat Society in Bangor. Barbara was very talented and passed on her abilities of making crafts, needle point, knitting, crocheting and cooking to her family. She will be remembered as a very giving, caring person who loved and was devoted to her family.
Barbara is survived by her beloved children, daughter, Kathy Flagg and husband Philip, Jr. of Bangor, sons, Clifford L. Blastow and his wife Cindy of Thomaston and Robert H. Blastow of Bangor, five grandchildren; Ann and Susan, Autumn and Amanda and Ho-Jin, four great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews and a special friend Peter Grant whom she thought of as her third son. She was predeceased by her husband of 53 years, Hollis in 2001 and by her brother James Elwell.
Barbara's family thanks the staff at Stillwater Health Care for the wonderful care she received over the last 18 months.
A memorial gathering for family and friends will be held 4-6 P.M., Saturday, September 24, 2011 at Hampden-Gilpatrick Funeral Home, 45 Western Avenue, Hampden. In keeping with Barbara's love for her cat and animals memorial gifts may be made in her memory to the Bangor Humane Society, 693 B, Mt. Hope Avenue, Bangor, Maine 04401. Messages of condolence and memories may be shared through www.hampdengilpatrick.com