NORTH GORHAM-Barbara Ellen (Bornheimer) Lombard, 92, passed away at her home on August 26, 2022 encompassed in the love of her family.
Born in Portland, the daughter of James W. and Doris E. (Fogg) Bornheimer, Barbara graduated valedictorian of Scarborough High School in 1948, and continued her education at the University of Maine, Orono where she earned her BA in music in 1952.
Barbara married William D. Lombard Jr. in 1958. Together they built their home, set up residency, and raised their family in North Gorham.
Post college she was employed at Union Mutual which would later become known as Unum. In 1959, she and her husband started their plumbing business and during the 1960s owned and operated a Pioneer chainsaw dealership. Following her husband’s passing in 1994, the plumbing business was taken over by their oldest son, Daniel, and remains in operation today. Barbara continued to be active in the business in her roll as bookkeeper, and always enjoyed conversing with their loyal customers.
Barbara was a long time member and organist of the Eastern Star, as well as organist for forty years for the United Church of Christ in North Gorham. Her music both united people in marriage and comforted those in mourning.
Barbara began each day with a cup of black coffee, a plain donut and sharp cheese, and the obituary section of the daily paper, just to be sure she herself was not yet listed, she would joke, before continuing on to the crossword puzzle. She had a magnificent sense of humor! Barbara loved a good joke and even more enjoyed the telling of one…she would share jokes with family, friends, her doctors, customers, and people she was meeting for the first time…everyone would ask her what new joke she had for them!
Barbara instilled in her loved ones an impeccable work ethic, the love of the written word, the power of music, optimism, hope, and humor. Her door was always open. She provided a safe and fun home, while nurturing, encouraging, and truly loving not only her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, but the children of her neighborhood and beyond as well.
She was an avid knitter, reader, and music enthusiast. Barbara enjoyed playing solitaire, doing word searches, and cooking. She had the greatest hugs that would envelop you in peace and warmth. Barbara was the happiest sitting around her dining room table surrounded by family, pets, good food, conversation, laughter and love.
Barbara was predeceased by her husband, her sister Charlene Allen and her husband Thurl of Gorham, her sister-in-law Marlene Bornheimer of Scarborough, her brother-in-law David Lombard of Parsonsfield, her sister-in-law Sandra Moses and her husband Leigh of Southington, Connecticut, her sister-in-law Sharon Brooks of Gorham and her daughter in law- Karen Townsend Decker of Hollis.
She is survived by her children Daniel L. Lombard, Doreen M. Benson and her husband Thomas, James W. Lombard, and Terri E. Cole and her husband Dale, all of Gorham; her grandchildren Dale H. Cole Jr. and his wife Amba of South Portland, Chad R. Benson and his partner Elizabeth Tanguay-Collins of Gorham, Jessica L. Hart and her husband Joshua of Gorham, and Matthew Russo-Kluchnik of Windham. Barbara was “GG” to her great-grandchildren Shamus L. Cole and Jack H. Cole of South Portland, Bellamy B. Hart and Elsie O. Hart of Gorham and two great-granddogs Clyde and Bronny May. Her brother Kenneth Bornheimer of Scarborough, brother-in-law Ed Brooks of Gorham, and her sister-in-law Patricia Lombard of Parsonsfield as well as many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.
The family would like to thank Barbara’s community and friends for their prayers, love, and support. Thank you to her wonderful care team: Dr. Melanie Fitzsimmons, Dean, Marie, and everyone at Lakes Region Primary Care. Thank you to Hospice of Southern Maine.
Services will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the North Gorham Public Library:
2 Standish Neck Road, Gorham, ME 04038
Arrangements have been entrusted to Chad E. Poitras Cremation and Funeral Service, Buxton, www.mainefuneral.com