Barbara Meuse-Hayden
August 14, 1957 ~ August 5, 2023
Resided in:
Portland, Maine
Portland - Barbara “Barbie” Meuse-Hayden, lifelong resident of Portland’s West End neighborhood attending St. Dominic Elementary School and graduating from Portland High School.
She spent 40 years as a career educator alongside her beloved friend, Beth Eastman. She specialized in the education and care of adolescents and adults with special needs. Her passion for teaching allowed her to go above and beyond for her students by always creating safe spaces for them to grow and learn.
In her spare time Barbie would indulge in creative talents like drawing, painting, gardening, sewing, etc. She always prioritized family time, never forgetting a birthday or holiday and her greatest joy was spending time with her only grandson, Javonte Hayden.
Barbie was known as a welcoming presence to everyone she came across, friends and strangers alike. Her maternal instincts expanded beyond the care of her own children and extended to anyone who she felt needed it. Barbie’s greatest gift to the world was making everyone she came across feel accepted and seen.
Although the last few years of Barbie’s life were tainted by illness she was always surrounded and taken care of by loved ones, namely her husband, Joel Hayden; son, James Hayden; and daughter, Jenessa Hayden. Although their time together was short, the memories they created together will last beyond this lifetime. She passed peacefully with loved one’s present, along with her guardian angel, Justyn Hayden, her eldest son.
Barbie is predeceased by her parents, Walter and Alice Marie Meuse; son, Justyn Hayden; and brother, Richard (Sucha) Meuse. She is survived by husband, Joel; son, James; daughter, Jenessa; grandson, Javonte; and siblings, Patricia (Roger) McHugh, Lorraine (Charles) Alexander, Charles (Jeanne) Meuse, Walter (Nancy) Meuse, David Meuse and Stephen Meuse.
Visiting hours and a celebration of Barbie’s life will be held from 4-7PM on Friday, August 11, 2023 at the Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland.
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My sincere condolences to my Family of Cousins and The Hayden Family. I am saddened by the lost of Barbie. NOBODY can replace this” ANGEL”. She has a heart of gold, beautiful smile, kind and very compassionate. She will be missed. LOVE,Andrea
My deepest sympathy to all the Meuse’s and Hayden’s. You have given Barbie such loving care and support, especially in these past few years.
Barbie was such a dear, sweet person. She was accepting of all, no matter who you were…family, friends, co-workers, students or acquaintances. Barbie treated everyone with respect and a caring heart.
I had the incredibly good fortune to work with Barbie for 40 years. She was my friend, my rock during turbulent times, my greatest support person, and my “sister.” Barbie will always hold a very special place in my heart.
❤️ Beth Eastman
I worked with Barbie at Woodfords and South portland High School. My heart and prayers go out to her family. I enjoyed working with her, for she was a joy to my day. We shared a lot of laughs together along with Beth. RIP
so many memories of times in that house with my mother n dad. you’ll not be forgotten we send our condolences n our love. living for many years across the way, the gathering, playing in the playground. our families shared alot. my thoughts go out to the family of your loss, sending healing light., to help you thru hardiest thing in life. no words c as n I say to ease your loss. the memories we have will last life time. sincerely Elizabeth viney west. the baby of the viney family at 9 tate.
Barbie is my friend Jenessas mother but she always made me feel like family. I will miss her sense of humor and the love and care she extended to all those around her. Rest in peace, Barbie.
To the Muse and Hayden families.
My condolences to all. Barbie and met through school. I already new her brothers. The Muse family is just a wonderful family. My heart goes out to all of you.
Her love
Big heart
So fortunate to meet Barbie when I met her after I immigrated here from Hong Kong she made me feel so welcome
Always caring sweet and a smile I will never forget
I will always cherish and remember our great times together love Ping Wong Seavey
Will always remember the great times love ping wong seavey
School friends
Will always remember the great person you was love ping Wong Seavey
Love, Barbie was a great example of, “And the greatest of these is Love.” Forever etched in my heart. Sending prayers, hugs and condolences to your beautiful family. So sorry for your loss. Love Sue Joy-Smith
Barbie, you will be dearly missed by all. Your gentle soul, beautiful smile and kind words will forever be etched in my heart. You have left a precious legacy. May God Comfort your beautiful family and friends, and there are many. Sending my condolences, hugs and prayers,
love always Sue Joy-Smith ❤️
Rest in peace Barbie 🙏🩷
Love you always SUE WONG
I remember when I first came to America, Barbie was one of the very first people I met, l have never forgotten that smile, with big warm passion welcome feelings, never felt that from anyone, she treated me with respect and love, and accepted for whom l am , we have had a lot of good times together and I have and will always cherish them .
I am so grateful and fortunate to have met you Barbie .
You will be missed and loved always in my heart 🩷
I am so sorry for your loss with deepest sympathy
Sincerely SUE WONG
Barbie was the sweetest person I have ever known .
I was fortunate enough to have her as my best friend.
When Barbie and Joel got married, l was so honored to be her maid of honor .
She was always so crafty with amazing ideas and so good with her hands, she designed all the bridesmaids flower bouquets and hair veils by hand.
She wanted everything to be perfect … and it was.
She was the most beautiful Bride.
Although we had drifted apart in recent years, but l never forgotten, she was always on my mind.
I will forever cherish those beautiful memories and our
friendship will always be in my heart 💜
You will be sadly missed
Rest in peace ☮️ ✝️ Barbie
Love you long time.SUE WONG
Love you Barbie💜 Rest in peace.💟✝️
I can’t believe she’s gone. We were childhood best of freinds. Our families were so close, our mothers were lifelong friends. I loved Mrs. Meuse she was the best. I’m just shocked, I haven’t seen Barbie for awhile but I’ve alway thought of her and treasured our friendship. She was a beautiful person inside and out. She was kind and thoughtful. I will truly miss her,. My hearthfelt condolence to Joel, their children and the family, you are all in my thoughts and prayers. Barbie loved you all so much, RIP my friend, love you forever💜