Barbara Plenty Repetto
March 31, 1945 ~ January 1, 2023
Resided in:
Portland, Maine
Barbara Plenty Repetto, beloved Mother, sister, and friend of many, died January 1, 2023 in Portland, Maine. Barbara, born March 31, 1945, in St. Louis, MO, grew up in Westfield, NJ, graduated from Westfield HS (‘63), and earned a BA in English from Muskingham College ('67). She began her career in New York City, a city she loved, working first at a brokerage house on Wall Street before moving on to help tackle housing issues for the city of New York. Barbara married ('70) Bruce Repetto, a Federal attorney from Tenafly, NJ, and they moved to Montclair, NJ ('78) to raise their family and where they lived for 33 years. When her two children were young, she became an active member of the Montclair community, and when she returned to work she resumed her passion for serving communities through her executive position with Family Intervention Services serving New Jersey. In 2011, Barbara, relocated to Portland, Maine where she became a devoted resident of another city she loved, and a beloved grandmother to her growing family in Brunswick, Maine.
Throughout her life, Barbara devoted herself to her children, grandchildren and children of others who needed not just a strong administrator of social services, but an advocate who cared deeply. During her years in Montclair, she worked for her community through leadership in the League of Women’s Voters, participation in the Unitarian Church and the Montclair PTA, and cheering from the sidelines at many soccer games. She was a sought after confidant to her family and friends, providing an ear to listen and calming words of guidance. Her way with words will be greatly missed. Barbara was an accomplished knitter, quilter and traveler of the world, but she most loved watching her children and grandchildren grow.
Barbara is survived by her husband of 53 years, Bruce Repetto; siblings Don Plenty of Sebastapol CA and favorite sister Carole Plenty of Somesville ME; son, Brian Repetto and wife, Rocio Carerra, of Williamstown MA; daughter, Stacy Repetto and partner, Anthony Jones, of Brooklyn NY; granddaughter, Cleo Carrera of Portland OR; grandsons, Quinlan and Keaton Repetto of Williamstown MA; granddaughter Ada Jones of Brooklyn NY. Donations in memory of Barbara may be sent to a local charity that supports your community.
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Barbara was one of the first people I met when I moved to Montclair in 1980. We initially met as members of the League of Women Voters but since Brian and our son Adam were in school together and had become fast friends, Barbara and I spent lots of time together as moms. We eventually became co-Presidents of the school PTA. I was more of the spokesperson but honestly Barb did most of the work. She was tireless, generous with her time, always rational when things got a little heated. Since the boys were in Indian Guides together our husbands also became friends. Years later we would meet for lunch now and then and since we had old friends nearby we visited Barbara in Portland a couple of times. She was so happy to be close to her grand kids who clearly were the light of her life. I am so sorry that we have lost her. She will always remain one of the nicest, gentlest and kindest friends I have had.
When Brian was about two or two and a half, Barbara told me she thought he had stopped growing. Even typing these words makes me laugh. I remember his huge, boxy winter jacket. Somehow I used it to try to reassure Barbara. In the last few years i finally respected her desire that I never remind her of that day. But here I am telling you.
There are 100’s of reason to love Barbara. Here are a few…She was an incredible fiber artist (though I am sure she never would accept that title)