Barbara B. Milburn

Portland – Barbara B. Milburn, 87, a devoted wife and loving Mom, passed away surrounded by her adoring family on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at Gosnell House in Scarborough, two days shy of her 88th birthday. Barbara was born on June 18, 1938, in Dover, NH, daughter of the late Paul and Margaret (Brown) Blood. 

Barbara, known by her family as “BB,” fell for her husband, Henry Milburn, on a blind date, sparking the beginning of 65 years of building a life and family together.

BB’s sense of place, together with her surrounding aesthetic, was her superpower. She saw it, she studied it, she created it. Living a life of love in a place she loved, with those she loved, was always enough. Little did she know she had created the magnet her family depended upon.

Her life was devoted to the pursuit of learning and finding beauty and love in the gifts this world provided her. To say BB was curious would be a significant understatement. If a topic interested her, she would read everything she could, seek out lectures, ask questions, and continually consider what it meant more broadly.

As a member of Portland Landmarks in the 1970s, BB became aware of a house that was to be torn down to make way for a parking lot in Portland. She and Henry proceeded to have it moved to Falmouth, maintaining every historic detail throughout the process. They then built their own barn by hand, along with a paddock for their first horse, aptly named Promise. More horses were to come, along with sheep, chickens, ducks, rabbits, and, of course, dogs and cats. As the menagerie grew, the family eventually moved to a larger farm in Cumberland, where there was room for all of them to thrive. BB was even known to have allowed her favorite sheep to come into the kitchen upon occasion … all were members of her family.

Everything BB touched bore the mark of her care; not only the home she preserved and the animals she loved, but also the people in her life. If you ever received a gift or a note from her, you will understand: her writing was as beautiful as her message to you, complemented by the gift itself, wrapped in something special and adorned with a flower or unique item that somehow reflected you. It was as if she was channeling you as she created it for you … she saw you.

Her children, grandchildren, and now great-grandchild always felt her love. We were graced by her presence and relied upon her quiet wisdom. To all of us in her fold, grace and love were her gifts.

She is survived by her children, Jeffrey (Janice Baserga and Jennifer Reck), John (Laurie Fisher), and Jennifer Flaxman (Paul); grandchildren, Drew Milburn, Forrest Milburn (Neera Thavornvanit), Trevor Flaxman (Maddie Girardi), Emma Flaxman, Maddy Milburn, Tily Milburn, Colby Harvey, Carter Harvey, Brooke Harvey, Daphne te Boekhorst, and Stephanie te Boekhorst; great-grandchild, Theo Flaxman; sisters-in-law, Susan Meffert and Elizabeth Stevens; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Henry, and brothers, Richard and Alan Blood.

A private celebration of BB’s life will be held at a later date.