Old Town – Barbara Louise Rose Smith, 80, passed away on January 28, 2025, after a period of declining health. Barbara was born in Lewiston on July 10, 1944 to Norris Eugene and Arlene Jasper Rose. Barbara R. Smith, a dedicated and inspiring figure, was born on July 10, 1944, in Auburn, ME. As a child, Barbara's life was marked by resilience and adaptability. After losing her mother at a tender age, she lived with her father and grandmother, later to be cared for by a series of housekeepers until she was fourteen. During these years, she found solace and friendship in the McGraw family living next door, their children becoming her extended family. During summer vacations, Barbara spent her time with her aunt and uncle, Barbara and Phil Harmon in Caribou. Her father used to drive her there until she was ten, then she started taking the train. During her senior year, she moved to Caribou and lived with her aunt and uncle. Barbara's strength and perseverance blossomed in these early years, becoming a guiding force throughout her life. Barbara's journey took her from Auburn to, to Caribou, spending her high school years with her adoptive parents, Phil and Barbara Harmon, to the halls of the University of Maine, where she majored in medical technology. Her talent and dedication shone through as she worked in the microbiology lab at Eastern Maine General Hospital in Bangor. It was during these years that she met her loving husband, Bryan Dunham Smith. Together, they navigated the joys and challenges of life, moving from Brunswick to Bangor, and finally settling in their beloved home in Old Town, Maine. The birth of their sons, Jeremy in 1980 and Eric in 1982, added more joy to their lives. Barbara's love for her family was unparalleled; her home was filled with laughter, warmth, and as many as five feline companions. In her career, Barbara was a beacon of inspiration, teaching parasitology and mycology classes at Eastern Maine Medical Center and the University of Maine. Her interests were as diverse as they were profound, ranging from the Enneagram system of personality classifications to alternative medicine. She was a dedicated student of polarity therapy, spending countless weekends in Portland, Maine, to complete her training. Barbara's inherent curiosity and desire to help others remained constant throughout her life, and she aimed to use her knowledge to teach and heal others. Her dedication was remarkable and recognized, spending countless days and hours working for Eastern Maine Medical Center, with 50 years of service, even having a plaque placed on her door of her workspace. Barbara left us on January 28, 2025, but her legacy continues in the lives of those she touched. She is survived by her husband, Bryan Smith; her sons, Jeremy Smith and Eric Smith; her brother, Gary Harmon and her younger sister, Brenda Harmon Jenkins and Joy Harmon. Barbara will always be remembered for her loving nature, inspiring career, and remarkable strength of character. Her life was a testament to the power of resilience, the importance of family, and the joy of lifelong learning. As we celebrate the life of Barbara R. Smith, we encourage you to share your memories and upload photos to her memorial page. Your tributes will serve as a testament to the impact she had on all of us and will help keep her memory alive. The family is planning a celebration of life in the Spring for family and friends.