NEWBURGH - Barbara Ann Nutter, 77, rose with the angels to take her place in heaven, May 5, 2014. Barbara was born June 4, 1936, in Brewer, the daughter of Ted and Margaret (Peggy) Lambert.

Barbara was raised in the Brewer and Bangor area. She married her first husband at the age of 16 and began life as an AF wife, living and traveling in both the United States and Europe. While living in Spain they adopted their two sons, Michael and Paul, in 1958. After living in several other places she and her sons returned to Maine in 1967. She resided in Hampden and Newburgh for most of her remaining years. In 1981 she married the love of her life, Frank Nutter, of Sedgewick. Over the years Barbara had a variety of jobs to include work in banking, waitressing, customer service, the Bangor Mental Health Institute, Penobscot County Court and the Hampden Country Club. During her years at the Hampden Country Club she was responsible for starting the Women's League, which she was deeply involved with for many years. Another favorite was her time in the Bangor community chorus and the Y-Players, a musical song and dance theatrical group sponsored through the Bangor YWCA. She performed with them for 12 years and maintained close friendships with other cast members as a result. Barbara loved all animals and is leaving behind her two cats, Sam and Baby and knows they will be well cared for. Barbara maintained her enjoyment of travel over the years by visiting her oldest son, Michael Ballard and his family as he moved throughout his Air Force and civil service career. Those trips included New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, Germany, France and Virginia.

Barbara will be remembered as a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, great aunt and friend. She is survived by her son, Mike Ballard and his wife, Johanna of Albuquerque; her son, Paul Ballard; stepson, Bob Nutter; her sister, Belle Evans and her husband, John of Newburgh; her sister, Virginia Porter and her husband, Newell of Standish; grandchildren, Jimmy Ballard, Jackie (Ballard) Bickel and husband, Scott; Joshua Ballard; step-grandchildren, Bobbi Anne (Nutter) Billings and her husband, Dana, Billy Nutter; great-grandchildren, Brandon and Bailey Bickel; as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins. Barbara was predeceased by her mother, father and two husbands.

Barbara wanted to express her extreme gratitude for all the close friends she made at the Persistence Senior Housing in Newburgh. In particular, LuRae McPherson and Berdina Flood shared a special place in her heart. In Barbara's words, they were great friends who helped immensely in her care the last months of her life. She wished to recognize her love for her lifelong friend, Sally Paradis. They grew up together and remained close through all the years. She would also like to recognize dear friends Jim Rose, Phyllis Prevratil, Sharon Tracy, Pam Martin, Clair Trask and her significant other, Donnie Cormier, Bonnie and John Van Dyke and Pat Brown.