1926 – 2015

AUBURN — Barbara Helen Gerrier, 89, of Mexico passed away on Sunday, Aug. 16, after a brief stay at the Hospice House in Auburn. She lived for four years at Rumford Community Home and three years at the Norway Rehab & Living Center.

She was born on March 6, 1926, on Penley Hill in Mexico. She was one of 10 children born to David Anthony and Charlotte (Sudsbury) McDonald. Barbara graduated from Mexico High School in 1943.

In the late 1940s, she married Arthur Gerrier. They were blessed with one son, Arthur Jr.

Barbara was employed at the Oxford Paper Co. and she also worked as a chambermaid at Madison Motor Inn in Rumford. She volunteered for years and became president of the Mexico Garden Club. Barbara and Mervyn Wynot planted and cared for the flowers on the Town of Mexico green.

In her later years, Barbara spent her winters in Arizona with her sister, Theresa, and her family.

She was well-known for her wonderful cooking, whoopie pies for the holidays, her great “Joe Tate” meatballs, from her brother-in-law’s recipe, and her meat pies.

Surviving are a sister, Theresa Montoya of Phoenix, Ariz.; and many special nieces and nephews in Maine and Arizona.

Barbara was predeceased by her parents; husband, Arthur Gerrier; son, Arthur Gerrier Jr.; brothers, John McDonald of Mexico, and Francis McDonald of Mexico; sisters, Flora Hoyt of Bryant Pond, Mary Mitchell of Mexico, Esther McDonald of Mexico, Alice Gould of Mexico, Olivine Wilson of Dixfield and Catherine “Cappy” Litalien of Mexico.

The family would like to offer a special thank-you to her wonderful caregivers at all three facilities; her special nephews, Robert Thompson and David Litalien and wife, Sue; her niece, Marjorie Richards; and all those who visited, called, brought meals, ran errands, took her to the doctor, helped maintain her home, shoveled snow and all other acts of kindness.

You are invited to share your thoughts, condolences and fond memories with the family by visiting their guestbook at www.SGThibaultFuneralHome.com.