Barbara J. McLaughlin

Barbara Joy McLaughlin passed away on March 1, 2005 after a lengthy illness. She had been a resident of Greenwood Center in Sanford since December 2003.Barbara was born in Benton Station on January 21, 1918, the daughter of Leon and Mabelle Brown Stone. She grew up in North Haven, a graduate of North Haven High School, and married Austin R. Joy in 1937. They lived in Camden and Portland until the end of the war in 1945 when they returned to North Haven.In 1955 they moved to Portland where Barbara enrolled in Gorham State Teachers College, Music Department (now the University of Southern Maine) from which she graduated in 1959. Over a lengthy and productive career, she taught music in several southern Maine schools, plus one year in Bradenton, Florida, and the last eleven years in Topsham. Following her retirement in 1978, she and Austin moved from Brunswick to Kennebunk.She was a member of the MEA, the NEA, the York County Retired Teachers Association, Christ Church of Kennebunk, Christ Church Choir, and the Webhannet Woman's Club of Kennebunk where she served as President for several years. She had recently joined the New Century Club of Alfred. Throughout her life she excelled in and enjoyed music of all types. She wrote several musical plays that were performed by her students. In addition to serving for many years as a choir director, she played in several instrumental groups and sang in a ladies ensemble.Barbara's first husband, Austin Joy, passed away on March 6, 1992. She is predeceased by a brother, L. Donald Stone of Norwich, Connecticut.On October 12, 1997, Barbara married William A. McLaughlin of Kennebunk where they resided until moving to Alfred in 2001. She is survived by one son, David A. Joy of Alfred, his wife Torrey and sons Timothy and Nicholas of Winnetka, California, and several nieces and nephews.There will be no visiting hours. A graveside service will be held in the spring at Oak Hill Cemetery, Camden.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to the Maine Parkinson Society, 100 Campus Drive, Unit #106, Scarborough, ME 04074 would be greatly appreciated.